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Council adopts ordinance banning unlicensed roadside animal sales in public areas
Summary
Ordinance No. 1131, amending Yelm Municipal Code Chapter 6, passed on Jan. 28 to prohibit sales of animals (commonly described as 'puppy mills' on the roadside) in public rights-of-way or parking areas while exempting licensed businesses and private in-home sales.
The Yelm City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1131 on Jan. 28, amending Chapter 6 of the Yelm Municipal Code to prohibit unauthorized animal sales in public areas such as rights-of-way and parking lots.
Cody (staff) described the ordinance as targeted at “the puppy mills as you see them on the side of the road, the unauthorized, unlicensed puppy mills where people are selling puppies and other animals in city limits.” He said the measure would not prohibit licensed businesses from selling animals or private, in-home sales.
Councilmember Crossman, chair of the Public Services Committee, said the committee narrowed a larger animal-control package to this focused prohibition because roadside, unregulated sales had become more common. Crossman noted existing trespass laws can address some conduct but that many people selling animals in the affected areas do not live nearby, complicating enforcement.
Director Kolt (staff) clarified the ordinance language applies to private property areas that function as public-facing spaces—rights-of-way, parking lots and similar locations—and does not affect a resident selling animals from their home. Councilmember Hess confirmed the ordinance still allows giving away animals and would not restrict licensed animal businesses.
A motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1131 carried by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
