Beaverton, OR Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large rule
- Cats exempt (Felis Catus)
- Waste pickup
- Cats exempt under BC 5.05.033
- Licensing
- No city cat license required
- Dogs
- Different rule: see BC 5.12.010
Summary
Beaverton's animal-at-large ordinance names domestic cats as its sole exemption, so cats may roam free citywide and owners aren't required to pick up cat waste in public areas either.
Except for animals of the species Felis Catus (domestic cat), no owner or person in charge of an animal shall permit the animal to be at large. Animals at large may be taken into custody by the City and disposed of in accordance with the procedures provided by the code or other City ordinance for disposition of personal property or for the impoundment of dogs. BC 5.12.010 through 5.12.015 shall govern dogs at large. [BC 5.05.030, amended by Ordinance No. 3872, 11/1/93]
Full Breakdown
BC 5.05.030 bars owners from letting an animal run at large citywide, but the same sentence carves out one species: Felis Catus, the domestic cat. Cats found loose can't be impounded as at-large animals the way dogs and other pets can be under BC 5.12.010 through 5.12.015. BC 5.05.033 extends the same carve-out to the city's public-area excrement removal duty -- every other animal owner must carry tools and clean up after their animal on streets, sidewalks, parking strips, and parks, but cat owners are excluded from that requirement too. Beaverton, Washington County, has no separate cat licensing or feral-colony ordinance in its municipal code.
Violations & Fines
Not applicable to cats -- BC 5.05.030 and BC 5.05.033 exempt Felis Catus from both the at-large and excrement-removal duties that apply to other animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my cat roam free in Beaverton?
Do I have to pick up after my outdoor cat in public areas?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beaverton
Compare Beaverton to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Washington County handle cat rules.