• Adequately fenced to prevent escape. 
• Sheltered from sun, rain, snow, and wind.
• Properly drained to prevent water, liquid, mud, and debris accumulating. 
• Covered with an approved surface material, such as natural lawn, concrete, asphalt, wood chips, or gravel. (Cement or asphalt need to be cleaned routinely, while being sensitive to chemicals in wastewater going to sewer and not entering storm drains - see the Wastewater section below).
• Free of mud, with no bare dirt exposed.

Additional tips:

• Bare dirt and rubber mats are not approved for outdoor areas. They are difficult to clean and disinfect. Rubber mats can be used for limited soft resting surfaces but need to be regularly removed, cleaned, and disinfected. 
• We discourage using potty boxes because they are hard to clean and disinfect, and they have short life spans. If you use them, they need to be regularly cleaned and disinfected. This includes completely submerging them every day in a disinfectant for the appropriate contact time.  
• Due to heavy usage, natural turf/grass and filtration are hard to maintain in urban or small spaces.  

For more information, read our guide on Considerations for outdoor areas for pet-related businesses.

Artificial turf and all synthetic grass do not meet King County Board of Health pet regulations. This is because of challenges in standards for installation, cleaning, disinfection, drainage, and drying. In addition, artificial turf (and the rubber crumbs that come with it) contains chemicals (including PFAS) that can be harmful for pets, humans, and the environment. 

Installations approved prior to 2023 will be considered legacy installations. If your outdoor area was previously approved for artificial turf, you may keep the turf that you have. However, you cannot add or replace turf. Contact us when you're considering replacing your outdoor surface material. 

Many disinfectants have chemicals that can harm pets, and the environment if used improperly. It's important to use disinfectants that are safe for pets and the environment.

Visit the EPA’s Identifying Greener Cleaning Products website to find safe and effective disinfectants. You can also learn more by reading Disinfection 101, a pet business-specific guide from the Center for Food Security & Public Health. 

Always read the disinfectant’s label. Use safer products like:

• Accelerated hydrogen peroxide or a bleach solution.
• Cleaners and deodorizers that are unscented and biodegradable.

Avoid using:

• Disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium or "quats." These are harmful to fish and marine environments.
• Products that contain active ingredients with these chemicals: Alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, Didecyldimethylammonium chloride, or 1-cetylpyridinium chloride.    
• Phenols, which are used in common disinfection products like Pinesol and Lysol. Phenols are harmful to cats.