Legislation Details

File #: 2026-0287    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: To Be Introduced
File created: 10/6/2026 In control: Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
On agenda: Final action:
Enactment date: Enactment #:
Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to changing pet license fees; and amending Ordinance 7416, Section 2, as amended, and K.C.C. 11.04.035
Sponsors: Rod Dembowski
Indexes: Fees, Pet License
Supporting documents: 1. 2026-0287 Transmittal Letter, 2. 2026-0287 Fiscal Note, 3. 2026-0287 Legislative Review Form
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Title

AN ORDINANCE relating to changing pet license fees; and amending Ordinance 7416, Section 2, as amended, and K.C.C. 11.04.035

Body

                     BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:

                     SECTION 1.  Section 2 of this ordinance implements a pet license fee increase.  Licensed or identified pets help reduce the number of pets entering the shelter by increasing the likelihood of being returned to their owner.  Revenue derived from pet licensing helps offset the cost of animal care and control services, and reduces the cost impact on the general fund.

                     SECTION 2.  Ordinance 7416, Section 2, as amended, and K.C.C. 11.04.035 are hereby amended to read as follows:

A.

The following animal license and registration fees apply:

 

  1.

Pet license

 

    a.

Unaltered

(($60.00)) $75.00

    b.

Altered

(($30.00)) $40.00

    c.

Service or assistive animal

no charge

    d.

K-9 police dog

no charge

  2.

Juvenile pet license

$15.00

  3.

Discounted pet license

$15.00

  4.

Replacement tag

$5.00

  5.

Transfer fee

$5.00

  6.

Potentially dangerous animal registration

$125.00

  7.

Dangerous animal registration

$250.00

  8.

The following late fees apply to license renewal applications and must be paid in addition to any applicable license fees and penalties:

 

    a.

received 45 to 90 days following license expiration

$15.00

    b.

received 90 to 135 days following license expiration

$20.00

    c.

received more than 135 days following license expiration

$30.00

    d.

received more than 365 days following license expiration

$30.00 plus license fee or fees for current year.

B.

The following business and activity permit fees apply:

 

 

Hobby kennel and hobby cattery license

$50.00

C.

The following civil penalties apply:

 

  1.

Civil penalties:  General

 

    a.

No previous similar code violation within one year

$50.00

    b.

One previous similar code violation within one year

$100.00

    c.

Two or more similar code violations within one year

Double the rate of the previous penalty, up to a maximum of $1,000.00

  2.

Civil penalties:  Dangerous animal, potentially dangerous animal, animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment contrary to K.C.C. 11.04.250

 

    a.

First violation within one year

$500.00

    b.

Subsequent violations within one year

$1000.00

    c.

Failure to comply with potentially dangerous animal requirements

$250.00

    d.

Failure to comply with dangerous animal requirements

$500.00

  3.

Civil penalties: failure to comply with prohibition on owning, caring for, or residing with similar animals under K.C.C. 11.04.225.B.

 

    a.

First violation

$1,000.00

    b.

Second violation

$2,500.00

  4.

Failure to timely comply with a removal order

$1,000.00

  5.

Civil penalties:  Pet without current and valid license

 

    a.

Altered pet

$125.00

    b.

Unaltered pet

$250.00

D.

The following service fees apply

 

  1.

Adoptions

 

    a.

Per pet, including licensing and altering the pet

$75.00 - $250.00 based upon adoptability

    b.

Per animal that is not a pet

$5.00 - $250.00 based on adoptability

  2.

Impound or redemption - pets or other small animals

 

    a.

First impound within one year

$45.00

    b.

Second impound within one year

$85.00

    c.

Third impound within one year

$125.00

  3.

Impound or redemption - Livestock

$45.00

  4.

Livestock boarding

Actual cost of boarding

  5.

Kenneling at King County animal shelter - per 24 hours or portion thereof

$20.00

  6.

In-field pick up of an owner's deceased unlicensed pet or pick up of an unlicensed pet released voluntarily to the regional animal services section

$50.00

  7.

Owner-requested euthanasia (unlicensed pets)

$50.00

  8.

Microchipping pets

$25.00