Multnomah County, OR Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- License deadline
- Within 30 days of age 6
- License term
- 1, 2 or 3 years, rabies required
- At-large exemption
- Cats excluded from 'at large' definition
- First-offense fine
- $30 to $150 (Class C infraction)
- Governs
- Unincorporated county only, not Portland
Summary
Multnomah County requires owners to license dogs and cats by age six months under County Code § 13.101, but § 13.002 excludes domestic cats from the "animal at large" definition, so free-roaming cats face no leash or at-large citation.
(A) Dogs and cats shall be licensed within 30 days of obtaining the age of six months or within 30 days of obtaining residency in the county or acquisition by the owner or keeper, whichever occurs later.
(B) Licenses shall be valid for one, two or three years from date of issuance, at the option of the pet owner or keeper and, for dogs and cats, shall require a current rabies inoculation for licensing period selected and shall be issued upon payment of the fee required by § 13.512.
(C) Licenses issued under prior existing county ordinances shall remain valid until expiration.
(D) The person who licenses an animal becomes the owner or keeper of record and is responsible for the action or behavior of his or her animal, including the responsibilities of owners provided in § 13.305. Penalty, see § 13.999 (Ord. 918, passed, 08/06/1998; ‘ 90 Code, § 8.10.070, 07/01/1998; Ord. 909, passed, 06/25/1998; Ord. 850, passed, 04/11/1996; Ord. 732, passed, 09/03/1992; Ord. 480, passed, 10/31/1985; Ord. 156, passed, 12/22/1977)
Full Breakdown
County Code § 13.101 requires every dog and cat to be licensed within 30 days of turning six months old, or within 30 days of moving into the county or acquiring the pet: whichever is later. Licenses run one, two or three years and require a current rabies vaccination for the term chosen. § 13.002 defines "animal at large" to exclude domestic cats, so Animal Services cannot cite or impound a free-roaming cat under the leash-and-restraint standard that applies to dogs. Skipping the license is a Class C infraction, fined $30 to $150 for a first offense. The Code covers unincorporated county; Portland licenses pets under its own municipal code.
Violations & Fines
Unlicensed cat: Class C infraction, $30-$150 fine first offense, rising to $150 for repeat violations within 12 months; officers dismiss the citation on proof of license within 10 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do free-roaming cats get impounded like loose dogs in unincorporated Multnomah County?
Does my cat need a county license even if it roams free or stays indoors?
Does this code apply if I live in Portland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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