Yakima County, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing
- Required for adult dogs
- At Large
- Prohibited
- Rabies Shot
- Required to license
- Bite Liability
- Strict (RCW 16.08.040)
- Cities
- Require leashing
Summary
Dogs must be licensed and kept under control in Yakima County. The county code requires adult dogs licensed and prohibits running at large, and cities add leash rules. Under RCW 16.08.040 an owner is strictly liable for dog bites.
The owner of any dog which shall bite any person while such person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place including the property of the owner of such dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness.
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Yakima County the county code (Title 8) requires every adult dog to be licensed through the Yakima Humane Society and prohibits dogs from running at large; the Sheriff's Office and Humane Society handle animal control. Cities including Yakima require dogs leashed or restrained off the owner's property. Rabies vaccination is a precondition of licensing everywhere. Statewide, RCW 16.08.040 makes a dog's owner strictly liable for a bite in any public place or where the person is lawfully present, regardless of the dog's past behavior, so control and containment protect owners from significant liability.
Violations & Fines
A dog running at large can be impounded and the owner cited and charged fees. An unlicensed dog draws a separate penalty, and a bite exposes the owner to strict civil liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog have to be licensed?
Am I liable if my dog bites someone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima County
Compare Yakima County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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