Yakima, WA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline to microchip
- 10 days after declaration
- Applies to
- Declared potentially dangerous dogs only
- Also required
- $250,000 bond or insurance
- Renewal
- Annual registration + inspection
- General pet mandate
- None: no citywide chipping rule
Summary
Yakima requires any dog formally declared 'potentially dangerous' to be microchipped and registered with the city within ten days of the declaration, under Yakima Municipal Code § 6.20.138, not a citywide pet-microchipping mandate.
Within ten days following a declaration of potentially dangerous dog, and the exhaustion of any appeal therefrom, the owner of a potentially dangerous dog shall obtain a certificate of registration for such dog from the department and shall be required to pay a fee for such certificate of registration, have the dog implanted with a microchip, and provide the microchip number to the department.
(4) Any dog declared to be potentially dangerous shall, after the exhaustion of any appeal, may only be issued a certificate of registration to the owner of such animal if the owner presents to the department sufficient evidence of:
(i) A proper enclosure to confine a dangerous/potentially dangerous dog and the posting of the premises with a clearly visible warning sign that there is a dangerous dog on the property. In addition, the owner shall conspicuously display a sign with a warning symbol that informs children of the presence of a dangerous/potentially dangerous dog;
(ii) A surety bond issued by a surety insurer qualified under RCW Chapter 48.28 in a form acceptable to the animal control authority in the sum of at least two hundred fifty thousand dollars, payable to any person injured by the dangerous/potentially dangerous dog; or
(iii)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Yakima Municipal Code § 6.20.138(3), once a dog is declared 'potentially dangerous' and any appeal is exhausted, the owner has ten days to obtain a registration certificate, pay the fee, have the dog implanted with a microchip, and give the department the microchip number. The department also requires proof of a secure enclosure and either a $250,000 surety bond or liability policy before issuing the certificate. Registration renews annually, and refusing an inspection is grounds for revocation. This microchip mandate applies only to dogs declared dangerous or potentially dangerous. Yakima has no general microchipping requirement for ordinary pet dogs or cats.
Violations & Fines
Failing to microchip and register a declared potentially dangerous dog within ten days means the department won't issue the certificate, and the dog may be impounded and euthanized under § 6.20.138.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Yakima require all dogs to be microchipped?
What happens if I don't microchip my potentially dangerous dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
Compare Yakima to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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