Marion County, OR Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat license
- Not required by county
- Cats are
- 'Pets' under zoning code
- Kennel trigger
- Four or more cats
- CUP over
- 10 mammals, four months+
- Nuisance help
- Willamette Humane Society
Summary
Marion County does not license cats or set an at-large rule for them the way it does for dogs. Cats fall under the zoning 'pet' definition, but keeping four or more cats over four months old for sale, breeding or boarding meets the county's kennel definition.
Both the Rural Zone Code Chapter 17.110.300 and the Urban Zone Code Chapter 16.49.140 define 'Kennel' as keeping four or more dogs, or cats, or pets over the age of four months for the purpose of sale, lease, breeding, training, racing or boarding.
Full Breakdown
Unlike dogs, cats are not subject to the county's Dog Control licensing or at-large infractions. The Rural Zone Code (Ch. 17.110.457) and Urban Zone Code (Ch. 16.49.202) define a 'pet' as 'a domestic animal customarily kept, and cared for, by the occupants of a dwelling for personal pleasure, and which are not raised for food, fur, or monetary gain', which includes cats. Density still matters: keeping four or more cats over four months old for sale, lease, breeding, training, racing or boarding is a 'kennel,' and more than 10 mammals over four months old in the RS or AR zone needs a conditional use permit.
Violations & Fines
There is no county cat-license or leash requirement. Operating an unpermitted cat kennel or exceeding the 10-mammal limit is a zoning violation handled by Marion County Code Enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to license my cat in Marion County?
Is there a limit on how many cats I can own?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marion County
Compare Marion County to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.