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King County Washington home

Pet business code updates

King County is updating the code (rules) for pet-related businesses. This update will help us simplify the codes, incorporate current science, improve consumer protection, increase transparency, and reflect big changes in pet businesses and in how pets are cared for over the last several years.

Short URL: kingcounty.gov/health/pet-business-code


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See the codes and provide feedback

Current codes

We need feedback from pet business owners, employees, pet owners and others involved in this issue

To understand your perspective, your input will help shape the final code that we will submit to the King County Board of Health.

➜ Complete the Pet Business Code Update – Feedback Survey

What does the pet business code cover?

The King County Board of Health code for pet businesses focuses on protecting people’s health, animals’ health, and the environment through disease prevention, sanitation, and improving facility conditions.

The code includes standards for:

  • Safe housing and supervision of animals
  • Infection control and disease prevention
  • Cleaning, sanitation, and facility maintenance
  • Staff training and operational practices
  • Pet food retail safety and handling
  • Permitting and fee requirements

Key topics for the code updates

Below are some of the topic areas of focus and/or topics we’ve received feedback about for the code updates. Note that this list isn’t exhaustive.

  • Adequate staffing and supervision
    It’s important that businesses have enough staff to supervise animals. Considerations include, but are not limited to, proper supervision during the nighttime (if overnight services are provided), when animals are playing together, cleaning up waste, managing food and medications, and more.
  • Safe and healthy outdoor spaces
    Like indoor spaces, outdoor spaces should be safe and healthy for pets. Outdoor spaces must have safe fencing, and the ground surface must be cleaned and sanitary. Natural lawn/ grass and bark can be used when certain conditions are met, and other surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected at least daily.
  • Prevention of disease spread between pets
    Pet businesses need to have processes in place to keep diseases from spreading between pets. This includes having a plan in place to keep pets isolated, if needed.

Timeline

Current status: Public Health has proposed draft code updates based on initial feedback, and the code updates are available for public comment.

Next, we will make additional edits to the proposed code updates based on public comments.

Once we have finalized the revisions, we will present them to the Board of Health for their review and vote. This is currently planned for September 2026.

Background

Public Health inspects and permits more than 500 pet businesses in King County, including pet shops, pet daycares, pet grooming facilities, animal shelters, boarding facilities, pet food retailers, and more. In addition to inspections, we ensure pets are safe by providing education and technical support, ensuring best practices for cleaning and disinfecting are being followed.

Public Health focuses on health, safety, and the prevention of the spread of zoonotic diseases. Other agencies also work on pet-related and pet-business issues. We work as partners with agencies that focus on other issues, including pet licensing, investigating animal cruelty, interstate sales, and breeding.

Additional resources