Clark County, WA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Inside UGB
- More than 5 adult dogs = kennel
- Outside UGB
- More than 9 adult dogs = kennel
- Adult dog
- Over six months old
- Cats
- No fixed numeric limit
- Kennel
- Needs licensing and zoning
Summary
Clark County caps dogs through its kennel definition: keeping more than five adult dogs inside the urban growth boundary, or more than nine outside it, makes a property a "kennel" requiring proper licensing and zoning. There is no comparable numeric cap on cats.
"Kennel" means either... Any premises outside the urban growth boundary at which more than nine (9) adult dogs are kept for any purpose... or... Any premises inside the urban growth boundary at which more than five (5) adult dogs are kept for any purpose.
Full Breakdown
CCC 8.01.020(19) defines a "kennel" to include any premises inside the urban growth boundary where more than five adult dogs are kept for any purpose, or outside the urban growth boundary where more than nine adult dogs are kept, plus premises used for commercial breeding, sale, boarding, or training. An "adult dog" is one over six months old. Exceeding these counts means the property is a kennel, which must meet facility conditions in Chapter 8.11 and applicable zoning; running an unlicensed kennel is a code violation. The county sets no fixed numeric limit on household cats, though nuisance and cruelty rules still apply.
Violations & Fines
Operating an over-limit or unlicensed kennel violates Title 8; enforcement runs through Chapter 8.19: civil penalties for first violations, misdemeanor (up to $1,000) for continued or serious violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I have without a kennel license?
Is there a limit on cats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
Compare Clark County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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