Lane County, OR Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat license
- Not required
- Leash law
- Applies to dogs, not cats
- Noise nuisance
- 15+ min = Class C (7.005.115)
- Adoption
- Spay/neuter required
- Rabies
- Quarantine rules apply to bites
Summary
Lane County does not license or leash cats, but a cat is an "animal" under the code, so it is covered by the continuous-annoyance noise rule and the same impound and care provisions. Cats causing 15-plus minutes of noise disturbance are a Class C violation.
An animal owner who fails to control any animal that causes annoyance, alarm, or noise disturbance for more than 15 minutes at any time of the day or night, be it repeated barking, whining, screeching, howling, braying or other like sounds which can be heard beyond the boundary of the owner's property commits a Class C violation.
Full Breakdown
The Animal Services Code applies its definition of "Animal" (LC 7.005.005) to cats, but there is no cat licensing or leash requirement like the dog rules. The main touchpoints are nuisance and welfare. LC 7.005.115 makes it a Class C violation for an owner to fail to control any animal that causes annoyance, alarm, or noise disturbance for more than 15 minutes at any time - repeated screeching or howling that carries beyond the property boundary can apply to cats. Impound rules (LC 7.005.045-7.005.065) let Animal Services impound and rehome strays, and adopters must pay any required rabies and spay/neuter fees, with mandatory sterilization after adoption. Rabies vaccination and quarantine provisions (LC 7.005.088-7.005.095) apply to biting cats.
Violations & Fines
A cat causing more than 15 minutes of noise disturbance is a Class C continuous-annoyance violation (LC 7.005.115). Loose or stray cats may be impounded and rehomed under LC 7.005.045-7.005.065.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to license my cat in Lane County?
Can a noisy cat get me cited?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lane County
Compare Lane County to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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