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May 15th, 2008

Skagit County Commissioners Adopt New Kennel Regulations and Offer Group Special Use Permit to Existing Kennel Operations

SKAGIT COUNTY – On Tuesday, May 6, 2008, the Skagit County Commissioners adopted new regulations pertaining to the siting and operation of dog and cat kennels within all unincorporated areas of the County. The new ordinance (No. O20080004) lifted the moratorium on new kennels, in effect since July 2007, and adopted changes to zoning and animal welfare regulations.

One important finding made by the County Commissioners was “the adoption of permanent kennel regulations is not intended to burden existing kennel operators or put responsible people out of business.” To that end, the Commissioners are offering a group Special Use Permit for existing kennel operations. To qualify for consideration under the new permit, an application must be submitted to the Planning & Development Services Department by 4:30 p.m. on August 4, 2008. Qualified kennels are those that are currently unpermitted that (a) existed prior to July 2, 2007, and (b) meet the newly adopted kennel requirements. Kennels qualifying for the group permit shall be exempt from the requirements of SCC 14.16.900(2)(h)(i) – (ii). Qualifying applications will be processed as one batch and require a reduced permit fee of $500 per kennel.

Applications for new kennels shall meet all requirements, shall be processed separately and shall be subject to the adopted fee schedule.

Additional information and necessary application forms can be found online at www.skagitcounty.net. Planning & Development Services can be reached at 360-336-9410. In person visits can be made at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA, until May 22, 2008. Thereafter the Department will be located at 1700 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA.