Petting zoos and animal encounters in Washington: agritourism liability protection
Scope: agritourism liability protection under the cited source. This is not a complete guide to opening or operating this activity. Local requirements have not been researched.
Petting zoos are expressly listed, and the statute separately addresses animal behavior and dangerous animal propensity.
Human content review
There is no attorney or subject-matter expert review recorded for this guide. The person responsible for this guide, its completed human content-review date, and its next review due date are not recorded.
Source retrieval dates identify the saved copies; they are not human content-review dates or publication approval. Check the current official text and the guide’s scope before relying on it. How to assess a guide.
Washington official source · Local rules not included
Important conditions
Operator and activity facts, exclusive causation, warning compliance, animal-health or exhibition rules, handwashing, licensing, and local requirements.
Relevant provisions
Named activitiesThe definition includes farming, ranching, educational programs, hospitality services, tours, petting zoos, farm festivals, corn mazes, harvest-your-own operations, hayrides, barn parties, horseback riding, fishing, and camping. RCW 4.24.830(1)Liability ruleThe statute addresses injury, loss, damage, or death resulting exclusively from inherent risks and requires the professional to plead the affirmative defense. RCW 4.24.832(1)ExceptionsThe exceptions include gross negligence or willful or wanton disregard, known dangerous conditions or animal propensities not disclosed, age-inappropriate minor access, knowingly allowing participation while intoxicated, and failure to warn. RCW 4.24.832(2)Warning signSigns must be at the entrance and activity site, with black letters at least one inch high, and contain the prescribed notice. RCW 4.24.835(1)-(2)ContractsWritten contracts for professional services, instruction, or equipment rental must contain the warning in clearly readable print. RCW 4.24.835(1)
What this source does not answer
Named examples do not decide whether a particular operator, farm, activity, injury, or risk satisfies every definition and condition.
The statute does not replace food, alcohol, lodging, animal, transportation, building, fire, accessibility, tax, insurance, or local rules.
No case law or fact-specific contract analysis was reviewed.
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