Yakima, WA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large threshold
- unaltered cat 6 months or older
- At-large fine
- $300 civil infraction, § 6.20.600
- Public feeding fine
- $125 civil infraction, § 6.20.296
- Nauseous condition
- misdemeanor, up to 90 days/$1,000
- TAR protection
- trap-alter-return exempted, § 6.20.294
Summary
Yakima makes it unlawful to let an unaltered cat six months or older roam at large, but the city carves out a trap-alter-return exception for feral and roaming cats. Violations carry a $300 civil infraction under Yakima Municipal Code § 6.20.293 and § 6.20.600.
§ 6.20.293. Control of unaltered cats. It is unlawful for any cat animal owner to permit an unaltered cat of six months or older to be at large. ... § 6.20.294. Permitted acts – Trap-alter-return. 1. Trapping, for the sole purpose of altering, vaccinating for rabies and ear tipping roaming and feral cats, with the cooperation or involvement of a licensed veterinarian. 2. A cat that has been trapped and altered, as described above, will be returned to the location where initially trapped unless veterinary care is required. 3. Cat caregivers are empowered to reclaim trapped roaming or feral cats without proof of ownership solely for the purpose of carrying out trap-alter-return activity. 4. A person who returns a cat to its original location while conducting trap-alter-return is not deemed to have abandoned the cat.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
293 bars any cat owner from permitting an unaltered cat six months or older to be at large anywhere in the city of Yakima, Yakima County, Washington. 292: a "feral cat" is any unidentified wild or untamed cat, a "roaming cat" is any unidentified homeless or stray socialized cat, and an "identified cat" wears a collar with owner contact information or carries a registered microchip. A "cat caregiver" is someone who feeds, shelters or medically cares for a feral or roaming cat under a trap-alter-return (TAR) policy without being treated as its owner.
294 protects TAR activity: trapping solely to alter, rabies-vaccinate and ear-tip a roaming or feral cat with a licensed veterinarian's involvement is a permitted act, the cat must be returned to where it was trapped unless it needs veterinary care, caregivers may reclaim a trapped cat without proving ownership, and returning a cat after TAR is not deemed abandonment. 296 bars feeding a feral or roaming cat on public property outright. 20 violation a civil infraction unless separately designated a misdemeanor, and authorizes impoundment or destruction of the animal after notice and a hearing opportunity for an identifiable owner.
Violations & Fines
Letting an unaltered cat six months or older run at large is a $300 civil infraction under § 6.20.293 per the penalty schedule at § 6.20.600. Feeding a feral or roaming cat on public property draws a separate $125 infraction under § 6.20.296. Creating a nauseous or offensive condition through cat caretaking is a misdemeanor under § 6.20.295, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine per § 6.20.600.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be fined for a stray cat I don't own hanging around my property in Yakima?
Is trap-neuter-return legal for feral cats in Yakima?
Can I feed stray cats in a Yakima park?
What happens if my cat colony creates odor complaints from neighbors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
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