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

Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 6.20 (Animal Control) governs dog leash and licensing rules citywide. Dogs must be physically restrained on a leash when off the owner's property; dogs may be off-leash only at designated off-leash areas such as the dog park at Randall Park. Owners must pick up dog feces, especially at city parks. All adult dogs kept within Yakima city limits must be licensed, and a license application must be submitted within 30 days of acquisition. Rabies vaccination is a prerequisite to licensing for any dog four months of age or older — the rabies vaccine must be current. Per the city Master Fee Schedule (most recently updated by Council in 2023), one-year licenses are $25 (altered) or $75 (unaltered); three-year licenses are $60 (altered) or $180 (unaltered), with reduced rates available for senior-citizen owners. The 2023 update (Ord. 2023-009) also strengthened the dangerous-dog definition, added a 'human responsibility for cats' section, and revised the barking-dog standard. Yakima Police Animal Control Officers respond to citizen complaints about nuisance dogs (barking, running loose, nauseous/foul keeping). Online licensing is available through DocuPet at the city's licensing portal.