Lakewood, WA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- License required at
- 8 weeks of age or older
- Off-premises rule
- License required regardless of age
- License term
- Expires December 31st, no proration
- Late renewal penalty
- $2.00 per license after Feb 28
- Female cat in heat
- Must be confined, no breeding roam
- License violation fine
- Up to $250.00, LMC 6.06.060
Summary
Lakewood requires a current license tag on any cat over eight weeks old, whether it stays home or roams, and any cat off its owner's property must be licensed regardless of age. Female cats in heat must be confined so they can't reach a male, and unlicensed or at-large cats can be seized by animal control under LMC Title 6.
It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, or have control of a dog or cat over the age of eight weeks, whether confined or not, within the corporate boundaries of the City without having a current license tag attached to the collar or harness which is worn by the dog or cat. Any dog or cat which is off the premises of its owner must have a current license, regardless of its age.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 852, passed June 15, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010 makes it unlawful to own, keep, or control a cat over the age of eight weeks within Lakewood's city limits without a current license tag attached to the collar or harness the cat wears; any cat off the premises of its owner must carry a current license regardless of age, and an unlicensed cat may be seized and impounded by the animal control agency or City law enforcement, with seizure not precluding a separate criminal complaint. 050. 00 late-payment penalty per license for renewals not obtained by February 28th, though new applications are never charged that penalty.
030 separately requires every female cat in heat to be confined in a building or secure enclosure so it cannot contact a male of the species except for planned breeding; an unconfined female in heat may be seized or impounded whether or not she is licensed. 023.
Violations & Fines
An unlicensed cat can be seized and impounded, and LMC 6.06.060 makes violating the licensing sections a civil infraction punishable by a fine up to $250.00, dismissed on payment of $25.00 in court costs if the owner later shows proof of a valid license. Cats seized under the at-large or confinement-of-female-in-heat rules face the same impoundment, redemption fee, and boarding-charge process set out in LMC 6.02.070 through 6.02.085, including a mandatory spay/neuter deposit after a second impound in 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to license my cat in Lakewood?
When does a Lakewood cat license expire?
Does Lakewood regulate cats in heat?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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