Bellevue, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Bellevue contracts with King County Regional Animal Services (RASKC) for animal control. Under King County Code 11.04 and BCC Title 8, every dog owner must keep their dog under proper control at all times: on leash or physical restraint in any public place, park, or right-of-way. The leash must be in the hands of a competent person able to control the dog. Voice command alone is not sufficient; dogs must be physically leashed in public except inside designated off-leash areas. Bellevue's off-leash areas include Robinswood Park, the Marymoor Dog Park (nearby in Redmond), and a few other designated spaces. At home, dogs must be confined to the owner's property by fence, kennel, or tether. Tethers must be at least 5 times the dog's body length (nose to tail base), terminate in swivels at each end, weigh no more than 1/8 of the dog's weight, and keep the dog at least 15 feet from public streets and sidewalks. All dogs 8 weeks or older must be licensed through RASKC with current rabies vaccination. License fees range from $30 to $60 annually depending on spay/neuter status.