Kennewick Municipal Code 18.12.040 caps small animals at three of any one kind and a combined total of six per residential parcel in R, HMU, and UMU districts. The cap covers dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, fowl, pigeons, and hens. Roosters are prohibited. Additional animals require a Land Use Permit.
Unlike many Washington cities that leave pet limits to nuisance enforcement, Kennewick imposes a hard numeric cap in KMC 18.12.040. In Residential, Highway Mixed-Use, and Urban Mixed-Use districts, no more than three of each kind of small animal, and no more than six small animals in total, may be kept per parcel. Counted species include dogs and cats over ten weeks old, rabbits, guinea pigs, fowl, pigeons, chickens (hens only), and similar small animals. Roosters are excluded entirely. Animals under ten weeks old (new litters) and animals grandfathered through an annexation agreement from Benton County are statutory exceptions. A property owner who needs more than the standard allotment must obtain a Land Use Permit under KMC 18.42, which is discretionary and considers parcel size, neighborhood compatibility, and nuisance potential. Cages, pens, and runs must be kept clean and sanitary, meet yard setbacks, and prevent off-property roaming or fly-overs. The City of Kennewick does not maintain a general dog license, so each individual dog is identified through rabies vaccination records and Tri-City Animal Services impound records. HOA covenants, condominium bylaws, and lease provisions may impose stricter caps and are enforceable as private contracts.
Code Enforcement issues notice of violation under KMC 18.12.040 and Title 18 zoning. Civil penalties, removal of excess animals, and abatement of resulting nuisance odor or noise. Continuing violations accrue per-day fines. Owners exceeding the cap may apply for a Land Use Permit under KMC 18.42 but operating without one is a violation. Cruelty charges under RCW 16.52.207 are separately available where care is deficient.
Kennewick, WA
Industrial-source noise crossing into Kennewick residential neighborhoods is capped by WAC 173-60-040 at 60 dBA during the day and 50 dBA between 10:00 p.m. ...
Kennewick, WA
Motor vehicle noise on Kennewick streets is governed by the statewide motor vehicle noise performance standards in WAC Chapter 173-62, which set in-use sound...
Kennewick, WA
Tri-Cities Airport (KPSC) is operated by the Port of Pasco and sits across the Columbia River in Franklin County, not Kennewick. Aircraft noise in Kennewick ...
Kennewick, WA
Amplified music in Kennewick is regulated under the Kennewick Municipal Code's public-disturbance noise provisions, which treat amplified sound that is plain...
Kennewick, WA
Kennewick has not codified a gas leaf blower ban, a decibel cap specific to leaf blowers, or restricted hours of operation. Use is governed by the general pu...
Kennewick, WA
Persistent or habitual barking, howling, or other animal noise that disturbs the peace is regulated as a public-disturbance noise nuisance under the Kennewic...
See how Kennewick's pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.