Kennewick, WA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

KMC 8.02.010(8) sets the numeric line that turns an ordinary household of pets into a regulated "Commercial Kennel": "any lot, premises, building or structure where six or more dogs or six or more cats over six months of age are kept." Cross the six-animal threshold and KMC 8.02.250 requires "a valid commercial kennel license posted in plain view on the premises" before the animals can lawfully stay; the Poundmaster issues the license once the Council-set fee is paid under KAC 16-32-010(1), but "no license shall be issued for a commercial kennel which is in violation of any zoning regulations governing the location of commercial kennels." Those zoning regulations sit at KMC 18.12.110: commercial kennels and animal shelters must be sited so every run, pen, and cage is at least 150 feet from a residential zoning district, must generally be fully enclosed with interior walls, ceilings and floors resistant to moisture and odor absorption (open runs are allowed only in the IH industrial zone), and must provide a minimum of three air changes per hour while meeting the noise limits in KMC 9.52.060.

A household that never reaches six dogs or six cats over six months old is not a commercial kennel and doesn't need this license or siting compliance, regardless of the mix of other animals, puppies, or kittens under six months on the property.