Port Townsend, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash required
- off owner's property, city-wide
- Off-leash areas
- only where council designates by resolution
- First offense
- Class 2 civil infraction
- Repeat offense
- Class 1 civil infraction
- At-large animal
- declared a nuisance, may be impounded
Summary
Port Townsend makes it unlawful to let a dog or other animal roam off-leash outside the owner's property unless the area is council-designated for off-leash use. At-large animals are a nuisance subject to seizure and impoundment.
A. Unless otherwise allowed by this section, it is unlawful for any person to allow an animal to be at large; B. Except as provided for in subsection A of this section, a dog may be at large within the city limits only in areas designated by the city council by resolution; C. Any animal in violation of this section is declared to be a nuisance and may be immediately seized and impounded.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3364, passed May 18, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Port Townsend defines an animal as "at large" whenever it is off the owner's premises and not restrained by leash (PTMC 8.04.010(5)). PTMC 8.04.160 makes it unlawful for any person to allow an animal to be at large, and a dog may run loose within city limits only in areas the city council designates by resolution. Any animal found at large is declared a nuisance and may be seized and impounded immediately. The police department, as animal control authority, enforces the chapter; a first violation is a Class 2 civil infraction, with repeat violations of the same section bumped to Class 1, at the default fine rate set by RCW 7.80.120 (PTMC 8.04.390).
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog or animal run at large off-leash outside a designated off-leash area; animal may be seized, impounded, and owner cited for a civil infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash anywhere in Port Townsend?
What happens if animal control catches my dog at large?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Port Townsend
Compare Port Townsend to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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