Richland, WA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat licensing
- Repealed by Ord. 24-19
- Stray cat status
- Declared a nuisance, subject to impound
- Unclaimed cat hold
- 48 hrs (no chip) / 72 hrs (chip)
- Heat confinement
- Required, on owner's property only
- Rabies vaccination
- Required at 4 months, proof on demand
Summary
In the City of Richland, Washington, cat licensing was repealed by Ordinance 24-19, so there's no tag requirement today. What remains: RMC § 7.03.040 makes any stray cat at large a nuisance subject to impoundment, and RMC § 7.03.160 requires confining a female cat in heat so she can't reach other animals.
§ 7.03.040. Stray animal a nuisance. Any stray dog, cat or animal running at large within the city is declared to be a nuisance, and any such stray dog, cat or animal may be seized and impounded. ... ... § 7.03.160. Confinement. A. Every female dog or cat in heat shall be kept confined to the owner's property or in a veterinary hospital or boarding kennel so that such female dog or cat cannot come in contact with other animals except for intentional breeding purposes. B. Dogs or cats kept outdoors for more than six hours at one time must be provided with a moisture proof and windproof shelter of a size which allows the animal to turn around freely and to easily sit, stand and lie in a normal position and to keep the animal clean, dry and comfortable. ... ... § 7.03.190. Dog and cat licenses – Required. Repealed by Ord. 24-19.
Full Breakdown
Richland once required annual cat licenses under RMC §§ 7.03.190 through 7.03.280, but the city repealed the entire licensing scheme by Ordinance 24-19, so no license or tag is currently required to own a cat. Two rules still govern cats directly. RMC § 7.03.040 declares any stray cat, defined as one appearing or remaining in a neighborhood or public place without an apparent home, a nuisance that the poundmaster may seize and impound, the same as a stray dog. RMC § 7.03.160 requires that a female cat in heat be confined to the owner's property or to a veterinary hospital or boarding kennel so she cannot contact other animals except for intentional breeding, and any cat kept outdoors more than six hours at a stretch must have a moisture-proof, windproof shelter roomy enough for the animal to turn around, sit, stand and lie down comfortably.
A cat picked up unclaimed is handled faster than a dog: RMC § 7.03.100 gives the poundmaster discretion to place the cat up for adoption, sell it or humanely destroy it if it isn't claimed within 48 hours when it lacks an identifying microchip, or 72 hours if it can be identified. All domestic cats four months and older must also carry current rabies vaccination under RMC § 7.03.285, provable on demand to animal control or police.
Violations & Fines
Letting a cat run at large as a nuisance or failing to confine a female in heat or shelter an outdoor cat properly are each civil infractions under RMC § 7.03.360, fined $100 to $400 on an escalating scale per offense. Failing to produce proof of current rabies vaccination under RMC § 7.03.285 is also a civil infraction and can trigger immediate impoundment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to license my cat in Richland?
What happens if my cat is found roaming loose?
Do I have to keep a female cat in heat confined?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland
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