Regulations

King County Animal Care and Control provides animal control services and enforcement for all of unincorporated King County and contracting cities. Regulations for unincorporated King County are set out in King County Code - Title 11.

Listed below are common laws for all service areas and cities.

King County and contracting cities require all dogs and cats eight weeks and older to be licensed and for dogs to wear their license tag on their collar or harness.

Licenses are valid for one year from the month of purchase. Senior citizens, 65 years or older, can purchase lifetime pet licenses for spayed/neutered pets.

The maximum number of cats and dogs allowed per household depends primarily on your zoning code. Cities each have their own zoning or land use codes. For unincorporated King County, animal zoning is Title 21A of the County Code which varies the number of allowable pets depending on lot size, whether the animals are dogs and/or cats, if they are kept indoors or outdoors, and if they are spayed or neutered.

Regardless of numbers allowed, all dogs and cats must be individually licensed. Also, in most areas, if zoning allows you to possess more than three pets, a hobby kennel license is required from King County Animal Control.

For more information, please call the King County Pet Licensing Section at (206) 296-2712 or your city's zoning/land use department.

• Animal running at large or trespassing;

At large is when your animal is off your property and not under your immediate control either by voice, or by leash in leash law areas.

Trespassing means your animal is on anothers' private property without permission.

• No valid license on animal
• Animals with vicious propensities

Animals that have threatened, attacked, bitten or attempted to bite a person, or presented an apparent attitude of attack, are subject to impound and possible quarantine.

All animals that have bitten, breaking the skin, must be quarantined. Animal bites should be reported to King County Animal Care and Control. Animals threatening, attacking, or otherwise posing a threat to public safety may be deemed dangerous. Report aggressive animals by calling 296-PETS (7387).

It is unlawful to maintain an animal which barks, or makes other oral noises, to an unreasonable degree which disturbs others.

• How to submit a barking complaint 
• Tips to control dog barking

Animals may visit most public parks. All animals must be leashed and controlled while in public parks. Animals may be exercised off their leash only in designated areas in some parks. Check each park for specific rules.

Abide by all state and local animal laws.

License your pet.

Maintain control of your pet so it will not be a nuisance to others.

Spay or neuter your pet to prevent unwanted litters.

Always remove waste products quickly to prevent health hazards. Remember, children may play in areas where animals have been.