Chapter 8.20
TRAPPING
Sections:
8.20.060 Clarifications and authorized activities.
8.20.070 Domestic animal trapping permits—Requirements and procedures.
8.20.080 Inspection and compliance authority—Domestic animal trapping permits.
8.20.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect public safety, wildlife, and animal welfare by establishing standards and limitations for trapping activities within the city of Ocean Shores. This chapter sets forth clear and enforceable requirements for the humane trapping of domestic dogs and cats for animal welfare purposes, including the recovery of lost pets and the management of feral cat populations, while restricting trapping activities that pose unreasonable risks to the community. (Ord. 1154 § 1, 2026)
8.20.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Animal” means any live vertebrate creature, wild or domestic, other than a human being.
B. “Domestic animal” means an animal that is owned, harbored, or under control of a person, and typically dependent on humans for food, shelter, and care. For the purpose of this chapter, the term “domestic animal” refers specifically to dogs and cats.
C. “Humane handling” means care, transport, and treatment of any trapped animal in a manner that prevents injury, pain, distress, or suffering, consistent with applicable RCWs, WACs, and animal welfare best practices.
D. “Humane live trap” means a device designed to capture an animal without causing injury, pain, distress, or suffering, which confines the animal safely until it can be released or transferred in accordance with state law and this chapter.
E. “Monitoring” means the act of observing, supervising, or remotely checking a trap to ensure that it is functioning properly and that any animal captured is attended to promptly and humanely. Monitoring may be performed in person or through the use of an electronic device, such as a camera or motion sensor system, capable of notifying the trapper immediately when an animal is captured.
F. “Non-target animal” means any wildlife or animal that is unintentionally captured and not the intended species identified on the trapping permit.
G. “Public safety officer” means the chief of police and/or their designee.
H. “Permit holder” means any individual or entity granted a trapping permit under this chapter.
I. “Significant infrastructure damage” means physical harm or deterioration to public or private structures, utilities, or facilities caused by wildlife that create a threat to public safety, health, or essential services. This includes, but is not limited to, damage to roads, bridges, stormwater systems, power lines, communication systems, water or sewer utilities, levees, or other structures critical to the operation and safety of the community.
J. “Trap” or “trapping” means any device, contrivance, or method designed or intended to capture, confine, restrain, or kill any wildlife or animal, including but not limited to box traps, cage traps, snares, foothold traps, or any similar mechanism.
K. “Trapping occurrence” means the placement, resetting, relocation, or continued use of any trap for the purpose of capturing a specific animal or animals at a specific location. Each new location or material change in trap placement shall constitute a separate trapping occurrence.
L. “Wildlife” means all species of wild animals native or residing temporarily within the city limits, excluding domestic animals and rodents commonly managed under pest control regulations.
M. “Wildlife control operator” or “WCO” means an individual certified by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to provide wildlife control services. WCOs are private individuals certified by WDFW in the safe capture, handling, and removal of wildlife species that commonly cause conflicts with humans. They are not state employees and operate independently, setting their own fees and following all WDFW regulations and certification requirements.
(Ord. 1154 § 1, 2026)
8.20.030 Prohibited.
The city council finds that the practice of trapping wildlife or animals presents significant hazards in areas where families reside and businesses operate and poses an unreasonable risk to public safety and wildlife and animal welfare. It is therefore declared to be the policy of the city of Ocean Shores to prohibit trapping of any nature whatsoever within the city limits, except as expressly provided in this chapter. (Ord. 1154 § 1, 2026)
8.20.040 Violation—Penalty.
Any person violating any provision of Sections 8.20.010 through 8.20.080 shall be guilty of a Class B offense as defined in Title 7 and shall be subject to the penalties prescribed therein. (Ord. 1154 § 1, 2026)
8.20.050 Exemptions.
The prohibitions contained in this section shall not apply to the following:
A. Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs). Licensed and certified wildlife control operators (WCOs) may conduct trapping activities within the city limits for the purpose of mitigating verified threats to public safety, preventing the spread of disease, or addressing significant infrastructure damage caused by wildlife. All trapping conducted by a WCO shall be performed consistent with their certification and in compliance with all applicable RCW and WAC provisions governing wildlife control activities. Trapping shall be utilized only after all reasonable preventative measures and nonlethal deterrents have been implemented, documented, and determined ineffective. When such trapping occurs on private property, it shall be conducted at the property owner’s expense.
The WCO shall notify the city’s public safety officer and/or the city administrator and/or their designees within twelve hours of the initial placement of any trap within the city limits. Notification shall be made by email, telephone call, or text message and shall include the trap(s) location(s) and type of trap used. The notification requirement applies equally to the initial placement of a trap and to any subsequent resetting or relocation of a trap.
All trapping conducted under this subsection shall comply with any additional conditions imposed by the city.
B. Domestic Animals. The trapping of dogs and cats may be conducted only under a valid city-issued permit pursuant to Section 8.20.070 and in compliance with all conditions, limitations, and procedures set forth therein and any rules adopted pursuant thereto.
(Ord. 1154 § 1, 2026)
8.20.060 Clarifications and authorized activities.
A. Nothing in this chapter is intended to prevent an owner, tenant, or licensed pest control company from setting common mouse or rat traps to remove mice and rats from inside a residence, business, or enclosed structure.
B. Nothing in this chapter is intended to prevent the city animal control officer or code enforcement officer from performing their official duties in accordance with applicable Ocean Shores Municipal Code (OSMC), Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) provisions.
C. Nothing in this chapter is intended to prevent employees or authorized agents of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) from trapping wildlife consistent with applicable RCWs and WACs. While not required by state law, the city encourages employees and authorized agents of the WDFW to provide notice to the city’s public safety officer and/or the city administrator and/or their designees when traps are set within the city limits, when practicable, for the purposes of coordination and public safety awareness.
(Ord. 1154 § 1, 2026)
8.20.070 Domestic animal trapping permits—Requirements and procedures.
The purpose of this section is to establish procedures and standards for the lawful trapping of dogs and cats within the city limits, ensuring the humane capture and handling of animals while protecting public safety and preventing misuse of traps.
A. Permit Required. No person shall trap or attempt to trap any dog or cat within the city limits without first obtaining a trapping permit issued by the public safety officer and/or their designee. Permits shall be subject to the limitations and conditions established by the city to ensure public safety and animal welfare.
Permits shall be issued annually. No trap shall be placed, reset, or relocated until the permit holder has submitted to the city, through the online permitting portal, a map identifying the location of each trap to be set and the species of animal intended to be trapped.
B. Application for Permit. An application for a trapping permit shall be submitted on a form provided by the city and shall include the following information:
1. The name, address, and phone number of the applicant.
2. The purpose of the trapping activity.
3. The type and size of trap to be used and a description of how it will be monitored.
4. Species intended to be trapped.
5. The method of humane handling, confinement, and release or transfer of trapped animals.
6. Any other information deemed necessary by the public safety officer and city administrator and/or their designees to ensure compliance.
7. A copy of a current city business license.
8. A copy of general liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured. Limits of coverage will be determined by the city administrator. Certificates of insurance are to be submitted to the city for approval prior to the issuance of a permit. Acceptability of insurance is subject to approval by the city administrator and/or their designee.
C. Conditions of Permit. All trapping permits shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. Subject to limitations and conditions established by the city, an insured, non-government domestic animal rescue organization may request a permit from the city to trap domestic animals (dogs and cats) in the interest of animal welfare.
2. Only humane live traps shall be used.
3. All traps must be clearly marked with the permit holders’ name, phone number, and permit number.
4. Traps shall be checked at least every two hours while set. No trap shall be left unattended overnight except in compliance with the remote monitoring requirements of this section.
5. A camera with remote monitoring capability shall be required for any trap(s) set pursuant to this permit, and such monitoring shall be capable of providing immediate notification to the permit holder when an animal is captured to ensure prompt and humane response.
6. Trapped animals shall be handled humanely and may not be harmed.
7. The permit holder shall provide updated notification to the city prior to any relocation, resetting, or addition of any trap(s), including updated location and species information. No trap shall be relocated, reset, or added until such notification has been submitted.
8. Trapping shall occur only at the location specified on the permit and only with the express permission of the property owner or lawful occupant.
9. No trapping shall occur on city-owned property, parks, rights-of-way, or easements without express written authorization from the public safety officer and/or city administrator and/or their designees.
10. Actions shall be taken to avoid the trapping of non-target animals, and measures must be in place to ensure the safe release of any non-target animal if accidentally captured.
11. If an additional trap(s) is required during the same trapping occurrence, the permit holder shall report the additional trap(s) to the city through the online permit portal. A map showing the location of the additional traps shall be uploaded and attached to the permit. The additional trap(s) shall be subject to the same application information, conditions, limitations, monitoring, and approval requirements as the original trap authorized under the permit.
12. Upon submission of the required trapping occurrence information to the city for any trapping occurrence involving the use of a large trap or equipment of a size or type that could reasonably capture a bear cub, coyote, or similar wildlife species, the public safety officer and/or their designee shall notify the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and provide the trap location. Each trapping occurrence shall require separate notification. This coordination promotes public safety and ensures WDFW awareness, supporting a prompt and humane response in the event a non-target wildlife animal becomes trapped.
13. The permit shall be valid for one year.
14. The permit holder shall comply with all state and federal laws regarding animal care, transport and release.
D. Revocation of Permit. The public safety officer and city administrator and/or their designees may revoke any trapping permit upon determining that:
1. The trapping activity has violated the conditions of the permit or this chapter;
2. The activity poses a threat to public safety or any wildlife and animal welfare; or
3. The information provided on the permit application was false or misleading;
4. Failure to provide required notification prior to trap placement, resetting, or relocation.
E. Reporting Requirements. Within twenty-four hours of completing trapping activity, the permit holder shall report the results to the public safety officer and/or city administrator and/or their designee, including the number and type of animals captured and their disposition. This can be done through the online permit portal.
F. Enforcement of Penalties. Any violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a violation of this chapter. Such violation may result in revocation of any trapping permit issued, impoundment of traps and prosecution of a misdemeanor. Penalties shall be imposed as provided in Section 7.01.050 for a Class B offense.
(Ord. 1154 § 1, 2026)
8.20.080 Inspection and compliance authority—Domestic animal trapping permits.
A. Inspection Authority. The city of Ocean Shores requires a permit for the placement, use, or maintenance of animal traps pursuant to this chapter. As a condition of regulation, the city is authorized to verify compliance with this chapter and any permit issued hereunder.
Authorized city personnel, including sworn law enforcement officers, and designated animal control officers may conduct reasonable administrative inspections of traps and trapping activities solely for the purpose of verifying compliance with this chapter and applicable permit conditions.
B. Scope and Limitations of Inspections. Inspections conducted under this section shall:
1. Be limited to:
a. The trap or traps;
b. The permitted location or locations; and
c. Activities expressly authorized by the permit;
2. Be conducted:
a. At reasonable times;
b. In a reasonable manner; and
c. For regulatory and public safety purposes only; and
3. Not be used as a pretext for a criminal investigation unrelated to permit compliance.
C. Private Property Protections. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize:
1. Entry into a residence or structure without lawful authority; or
2. A waiver of rights protected under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article I, Section 7 of the Washington State Constitution.
Inspections on private property shall be conducted only when:
a. Authorized by permit conditions constituting limited administrative consent;
b. Conducted with voluntary consent at the time of inspections; or
c. Pursuant to a lawful warrant when required.
D. Public Property. Traps placed on city-owned or city-controlled property are subject to inspection at any time for the purposes of compliance with this chapter and protection of public safety.
E. Refusal of Inspection. Refusal to allow an inspection authorized by this section and the applicable permit may constitute grounds for:
1. Permit suspension or revocation; and/or
2. Enforcement actions as provided by this code; provided, that any such action is taken in accordance with due process requirements.
F. Enforcement Standard. All inspections and enforcement actions conducted under this section shall be:
1. Content neutral;
2. Behavior based;
3. Uniformly applied; and
4. Consistent with all applicable constitutional and statutory requirements.
(Ord. 1154 § 1, 2026)