# WAC 220-450-040: WAC 220-450-040. Live wildlife — Facility, fencing, and marking requirements > Washington · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_040 ## Section - **Citation:** WAC 220-450-040 - **Heading:** WAC 220-450-040. Live wildlife — Facility, fencing, and marking requirements - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 220 / Chapter 220-450 / Section 220-450-040 ## Text (1) Secure facility: (a) All captive wildlife held under a department issued permit must be held in a secure facility. For the purposes of this rule, a secure facility is an enclosure constructed to prevent danger to the environment or wildlife of the state, including escape of live wildlife specimens in captivity or ingress of resident wildlife ungulates (hoofed animals). (b) For wildlife listed in WAC 220-450-030 (2), the secure facility must comply with the fencing requirements in subsection (2) of this section. (2) Fencing requirements: (a) Perimeter fences must be, at a minimum, 8 feet above ground level for their entire length. The bottom 6 feet must be mesh of sufficient size to prevent resident wildlife ungulates (hoofed animals) from entering and captive wildlife from escaping. If the wire used is not a full 8 feet in height, it must be overlapped one row and securely fastened at every other vertical row or woven together with cable. Supplemental wire required to attain a height of 8 feet may be smooth, barbed, or woven wire (at least 12 1/2 gauge) with strands spaced not more than 6 inches apart. (b) Perimeter fences constructed of high tensile wire must be supported by a post or stay at minimum intervals of 8 feet. (c) Perimeter fences must be at least 12 1/2 gauge woven wire, 14 1/2 gauge high-tensile woven wire, chain link, nonclimbable woven fence, or other fence approved by the director. (d) Electric fencing materials may be used on perimeter fences only as a supplement to conventional fencing materials. (e) All gates in the perimeter fences must be self-closing, equipped with 2 locking devices, and installed only in locations that have been approved by the director. Double gates may be required at points in the perimeter fences subject to frequent vehicle traffic that is not related to activities involving the holding of captive wildlife. (f) Posts used in the perimeter fences must be: materials. (e) All gates in the perimeter fences must be self-closing, equipped with 2 locking devices, and installed only in locations that have been approved by the director. Double gates may be required at points in the perimeter fences subject to frequent vehicle traffic that is not related to activities involving the holding of captive wildlife. (f) Posts used in the perimeter fences must be: (i) Wood (pressure treated), 5-inch minimum diameter or an equivalent as approved by the director; (ii) Spaced no more than 24 feet apart with stays or supports at eight foot intervals between the posts; (iii) Extended at least 8 feet above ground level; and (iv) Constructed with corners braced with wood or with an equivalent material as approved by the director. (g) Fences must be maintained at all times to prevent captive wildlife from escaping or resident wildlife ungulates (hoofed animals) from entering the enclosure. If animals pass through, under, or over the fence because of any topographic feature or other conditions, the person possessing wildlife must immediately supplement the fence to prevent continued passage. (3) Marking requirements: (a) All live specimens of wildlife identified in WAC 220-450-030 (2) must be individually identified by: (i) USDA official ear tags or ear tags supplied or approved by the department. Tags must be applied in sequential order; and (ii) A tattoo with an identifying number that has been recorded with the director. The tattoo must be placed on the left ear of the animal. (b) Identification assigned to an individual animal may not be transferred to any other animal. (c) Where allowed, all lawful progeny of wildlife identified in WAC 220-450-030 (2) must be tagged and tattooed by December 31st of the year of birth or upon leaving the holding facility, whichever is earlier. (d) Where allowed, if wildlife identified in WAC 220-450-030 (2) is sold or transferred within the state, the tag and tattoo must accompany the animal. The new owner or possessor may not renumber the animal. , all lawful progeny of wildlife identified in WAC 220-450-030 (2) must be tagged and tattooed by December 31st of the year of birth or upon leaving the holding facility, whichever is earlier. (d) Where allowed, if wildlife identified in WAC 220-450-030 (2) is sold or transferred within the state, the tag and tattoo must accompany the animal. The new owner or possessor may not renumber the animal. (e) Where allowed, live specimens of wildlife identified in WAC 220-450-030 (2) must be marked prior to importation. (f) Wildlife identified in WAC 220-450-030 (2) may not be sold or otherwise transferred from the holding facility. (4) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable under RCW 77.15.750 , Unlawful use of a department permit—Penalty. ## Nearby sections - [WAC 220-450-010 WAC 220-450-010. Criteria for planting aquatic plants and releasing wildlife](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_010.md) - [WAC 220-450-020 WAC 220-450-020. Revocation, modification, or suspension of a permit to hold wild animals, wild birds, or game fish in captivity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_020.md) - [WAC 220-450-030 WAC 220-450-030. Live wildlife — Taking from the wild, importation, possession, transfer, and holding in captivity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_030.md) - [WAC 220-450-040 WAC 220-450-040. Live wildlife — Facility, fencing, and marking requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_040.md) - [WAC 220-450-050 WAC 220-450-050. Sale of fish and wildlife by zoos and aquariums](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_050.md) - [WAC 220-450-060 WAC 220-450-060. Definitions — Wildlife rehabilitation permits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_060.md) - [WAC 220-450-070 WAC 220-450-070. Wildlife rehabilitation permits — Requirements and restrictions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_070.md) - [WAC 220-450-080 WAC 220-450-080. Wildlife rehabilitation — Responsibilities of primary permittees and subpermittees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_080.md) - [WAC 220-450-090 WAC 220-450-090. Wildlife rehabilitation — Permit modification, suspension, or revocation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_090.md) - [WAC 220-450-100 WAC 220-450-100. Wildlife rehabilitation — Facility requirements and inspections — On- and off-site care](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_100.md) - [WAC 220-450-110 WAC 220-450-110. Wildlife rehabilitation — Releasing wildlife](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_110.md) - [WAC 220-450-120 WAC 220-450-120. Wildlife rehabilitation — Veterinary care](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_120.md) - [WAC 220-450-130 WAC 220-450-130. Wildlife rehabilitation — Records retention and reporting requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_130.md) - [WAC 220-450-140 WAC 220-450-140. Wildlife rehabilitation — Falconers assisting with raptor rehabilitation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_140.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_220_450_040. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.