Richland, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length limit
- 8 feet maximum
- Enforcing agency
- Richland animal control officers
- First offense
- Warning ticket under §7.03.140
- Impound fee (1st/2nd/3rd)
- $35 / $50 / $100
- Boarding fee
- $10 per day
- Off-leash exception
- Designated dog parks/training areas
Summary
In the City of Richland, Washington, RMC § 7.03.050 makes it unlawful for a dog to roam off its owner's property unless a competent person keeps it under control, on a leash or chain no longer than eight feet, or at heel beside its owner. Fenced yards, vehicles and designated off-leash areas are the only exceptions.
"At large" means off the premises of the owner or upon the public streets, alleys, public grounds, school grounds or parks within the city. A dog shall not be deemed at large if: 1. It is attached to a leash or chain of sufficient strength to restrain the dog and not more than eight feet in length, when said leash or chain is held by a person competent to restrain and control the dog off the owner's premises; ... ... § 7.03.050. Dog control. A. No dog shall be permitted to roam or stray or be off its owner's premises unless it is at all times under the control of a person. ... ... B. It is unlawful for any owner to cause, permit or allow any dog owned, harbored, controlled or kept by him, in this city, to roam, run at large or stray away from the premises where the same is owned, harbored, controlled or kept, except that while away from said premises, such dog shall at all times be controlled by being at heel, or by means of a leash not exceeding eight feet in length, by the owner or some duly authorized and competent person.
Full Breakdown
RMC § 7.03.010 defines a dog as "at large" unless it is attached to a leash or chain not more than eight feet long held by a competent person, safely restrained in a vehicle or housed at a veterinary hospital, at heel beside a competent person, or confined entirely on the owner's premises. Under RMC § 7.03.050, it is the owner's responsibility to keep a dog under control at all times off the property; a dog found away from its owner's premises unsupervised is prima facie evidence of a violation.
The section also forbids letting a dog bite or attempt to bite, destroy private property, scatter refuse, chase vehicles, or otherwise create a nuisance, and it carves out an exception for city-designated dog training areas and off-leash parks so long as a competent handler stays in control there. Animal control officers may issue a warning ticket for a first at-large offense under RMC § 7.03.140; repeat offenses draw a formal violation ticket under RMC § 7.03.150 that is filed with the Benton County district court.
Any dog picked up at large is impounded under RMC § 7.03.060 and given DHLP, Parvo and Bordetella vaccinations at the owner's expense, and redemption under RMC § 7.03.080 costs a $35.00 impound fee for a first offense, $50.00 for a second, $100.00 for a third and later offense, plus a $10.00-per-day boarding fee, with proof of current rabies vaccination required before release.
Violations & Fines
A first at-large violation typically draws a warning ticket; repeat offenses are cited as civil infractions under RMC § 7.03.360, fined $100 to $400 on an escalating scale, filed with the Benton County district court. Recovering an impounded dog costs $35 to $100 in impound fees, depending on offense number, plus $10.00 per day of boarding until redeemed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Benton County handle dog leash laws.