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

" Under Control requires the animal be restrained by a leash or other method that stops it from approaching, chasing, jumping on, or lunging at people, vehicles or other animals, and from entering unauthorized property or causing damage. The at-large rule exempts cats entirely and exempts dogs inside a City off-leash dog park so long as the owner stays nearby and follows park rules. A routine at-large violation is a civil infraction, but if the animal is a Vicious Animal or has previously been declared Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous, an at-large violation is a misdemeanor.

Separately, RMC 6-6-1(B) makes it a misdemeanor if an at-large animal physically injures a person or another domestic animal, or damages someone's real or personal property. The ordinance imposes strict liability, meaning the City does not have to prove the owner's intent, knowledge or negligence; an owner's only defense is proving by a preponderance of the evidence that they took reasonable precautions given what they knew about the animal's disposition. Simply not being present, or having the animal on a leash at the time, is not by itself a defense, and multiple owners can be charged for the same incident.

An Animal Control Officer may seize and impound any animal found at large under RMC 6-6-2, and redemption requires paying impound fees plus purchasing a City animal license if the animal was unlicensed.