Pet Shop

Definition


Any person or establishment that acquires animals (dogs, cats, birds, fish, rodents, reptilians, primates, insects and any/or all others) bred by others, whether as owner, agent or on consignment, sells or boards any species of animals and offers to sell such animals to the public.

Requirements


  • Any person keeping more than ten dogs and/or cats must provide kennel facilities.
  • Kennel facilities are kennels, animal runs, enclosures, and/or any other building used for the keeping or housing of such dogs/cats. Kennel facilities shall comply with all zoning and code requirements, such as setbacks.
  • Animals kept more than sixty days will be considered owned by the person housing the animal and must be licensed under PCC 6.04.020.
  • Persons providing temporary housing must comply with PCC 5.24.030 F.
  • Each license shall expire on December 31 of the year of issuance.
Applications may be submitted in person or by mail. Please review our Animal Business Checklist for what is required to submit with the application.

Pierce County Code Chapter 5  |  Kennel Regulations

Please note first time applicants must obtain a development permit from Pierce County Planning and Public Works. For more information please contact PPW at (253) 798-3739 or review Pierce County Code 2.05.040. View information on their fees.

Application


Animal Business Application
Animal Business Renewal

Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Pierce County Code (PCC) 5.24.075.B.3 requires that puppies sold by pet shops in unincorporated parts of the county must be obtained from breeders that are in compliance with state law RCW 16.52.310.

The RCW states in subsection (1) that a person may not own, possess, control, or otherwise have charge or custody of more than 50 dogs with intact sexual organs over the age of six months at any time. However, subsection (5) of that RCW states that this provision does not apply to commercial dog breeders licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) before January 1, 2010. 

At its January 2023 inspection, the Pierce County Auditor’s Office found Puppyland to be in compliance with its business license requirements. This includes full compliance of Puppyland’s breeders. Some were licensed before the RCW took effect on Jan. 1, 2010, and some were licensed after. 

Inspection sheets

The Pierce County Auditor’s Office will conduct inspections at Puppyland every month during 2023. Reports are posted here.

Learn more

Fees

Business License Fees Fee Amount
Pet Shop $200.00