7.12.100 Exotic and/or wild animal – Permit required.
A. A permit from the animal control authority shall be required for any person, firm, corporation or business to own or maintain any wild or exotic animal.
B. A permit to own and maintain any wild or exotic animal will be issued only if it can be demonstrated that public safety is not at risk and proper animal enclosures exist to ensure the public’s safety. Facilities and enclosures for wild and/or exotic animals are subject to inspection at any time upon providing notice at least 24 hours in advance of inspection. Failure to submit to such inspections shall be sufficient grounds for permit revocation.
C. Any person having said permit revoked for violations of this chapter shall immediately remove said animals from the city.
D. Exempt from the permit requirement of this section are:
1. Circuses and zoos staying within the city for a limited time of no more than 30 days; provided, that proper safeguards are taken to protect the public and the animal control authority is notified of their arrival, all locations used to keep the animals, and duration of stay.
2. State registered wildlife rehabilitation centers, sanctioned by the Washington State Wildlife Department.
E. The annual permit fee to own or maintain any wild or exotic animal shall be $20.00 for each approved location, regardless of the number(s) of said wild animals.
F. No person shall be permitted to own, harbor, or maintain any lion, tiger, bear, gorilla, lynx, cougar, jaguar or venomous snake, coyote, or any other native species to Washington except as licensed under state law.
G. No person shall have, keep or maintain any exotic or wild animal unless specially permitted. [Ord. 10468 § 2, 1993].