Animal Ordinances in Beaverton, OR: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Beaverton or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Beaverton has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Exotic Pets

Beaverton prohibits keeping any wild, exotic, or dangerous animal within city limits, with narrow exceptions for institutions, circuses, veterinarians, and assistance animals.

Key details: Rule: No wild/exotic/dangerous animals. Exempt: Zoos, vets, service animals. Penalty class: Class 1 Civil Infraction. Applies: Citywide, Washington County.

Violation of the Nuisance Ordinance, including BC 5.05.040, is a Class 1 Civil Infraction under BC 5.05.255, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Beaverton actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.

Chickens & Livestock

Beaverton allows up to four hens per property for personal use, bans roosters outright, and requires a 5,000-square-foot lot with a secure enclosure kept 20 feet from any neighboring home.

Key details: Hens allowed: up to 4 per property. Roosters: prohibited citywide. Minimum lot size: 5,000 square feet. Coop setback: 20 feet from neighboring dwelling.

Violating the chicken chapter is a Class 3 civil infraction under BC 5.09.040, processed per BC Chapter 2.10; each day a violation continues counts as a separate infraction, and conditions can also be abated as a public nuisance.

Pet Store Rules

Beaverton bans retail pet stores from selling dogs or cats; only shelters, rescues, and residential Beaverton breeders may offer them.

Key details: Rule: No pet-store retail sale of dogs/cats. Exceptions: Shelters, rescues, in-city breeders. Penalty class: Class 1 civil infraction. Adopted: Ordinance No. 4839, 2/7/23.

Class 1 civil infraction under BC 2.10.010-.050; each dog or cat sold in violation is a separate violation, and each day continues as a separate violation.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Beaverton actively enforces its pet store rules requirements.

Wildlife Feeding

Beaverton bans feeding waterfowl or other wildlife on its parks, plazas and library grounds: a targeted park rule under Chapter 9.08, not a citywide restriction on backyard bird feeders.

Key details: Rule: No feeding waterfowl or wildlife. Where: City Park & listed properties. Citation: BC 9.08.190(B). Enforcement: Citation or trespass exclusion.

Feeding wildlife on covered city property can lead to an order to leave, a citation under BC 9.08.230, or a trespass charge if the person refuses a lawful order to leave.

Dog Leash Laws

Beaverton excludes dogs from its general animal-at-large rule and instead enforces Washington County's Dog Control Ordinance No. 306 as the city's own dog law.

Key details: Governing law: Washington County Ord. 306, adopted. Penalty: Class 2 Civil Infraction. Court remedy: Impoundment/destruction if vicious. Cats: Not covered: see BC 5.05.030.

General violations of the city dog control ordinance are a Class 2 Civil Infraction (BC 5.12.015); a court may order impoundment or destruction of a vicious or livestock-killing dog.

Cat Rules

Beaverton's animal-at-large ordinance names domestic cats as its sole exemption, so cats may roam free citywide and owners aren't required to pick up cat waste in public areas either.

Key details: At-large rule: Cats exempt (Felis Catus). Waste pickup: Cats exempt under BC 5.05.033. Licensing: No city cat license required. Dogs: Different rule: see BC 5.12.010.

Not applicable to cats -- BC 5.05.030 and BC 5.05.033 exempt Felis Catus from both the at-large and excrement-removal duties that apply to other animals.

The rules around cat rules in Beaverton lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Beaverton is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Beaverton, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Beaverton's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.