Hillsboro, OR Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dogs
- 3 max per property
- Cats
- 3 max per property
- Rabbits
- 4 max per property
- Litter exception
- young offspring of resident female
- Above the cap
- needs a facility license
Summary
Hillsboro caps household pets at 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 4 rabbits per property under HMC 6.20.030, exempting young offspring of an animal already living there; exceeding the cap requires a City animal services facility license.
Except as provided in HMC 6.20.040, no person may keep more than: A. Three dogs on any property, unless the dogs are under 6 months of age and are offspring of a resident female dog; B. Three cats on any property unless the cats are under 4 months of age and are offspring of a resident female cat; or C. Four rabbits on any property unless the rabbits are under 2 months of age and are offspring of a resident female rabbit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
Hillsboro Municipal Code § 6.20.030 caps how many dogs, cats, and rabbits any property can keep at once: three dogs, three cats, and four rabbits, with an exception for young offspring of a resident female of that species, puppies under 6 months, kittens under 4 months, or baby rabbits under 2 months don't count against the cap. Anyone who wants to keep more animals than the limit allows must apply to the City for a business license to operate an animal services facility under § 6.20.040, which requires the City to first confirm the operation complies with federal, state, and local regulations.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than 3 dogs, 3 cats, or 4 rabbits without an approved animal services facility license violates HMC 6.20.030 and can draw a citation and enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the maximum number of dogs I can keep in Hillsboro?
Can I keep more pets than the limit allows?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsboro
Compare Hillsboro to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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