Animal Ordinances in Kennewick, WA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

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

Pet Limits

Kennewick doesn't cap the number of pets a household may keep outright, but KMC 8.02.010(8) defines a "Commercial Kennel" as any lot or premises where six or more dogs, or six or more cats over six months old, are kept, and KMC 8.02.250 requires a City-issued commercial kennel license before you can lawfully keep that many. Keep five or fewer and no kennel license applies.

Key details: Kennel threshold: Six or more dogs or cats over 6 months. License required: Commercial kennel license from the Poundmaster. Kennel siting: 150 feet from any residential zoning district. First violation fine: $50, rising to $400 for 4th+. Governing sections: KMC 8.02.010(8), 8.02.250, 18.12.110.

Keeping a commercial kennel without the required license, or siting one within 150 feet of a residential zone, is enforced under the Chapter 8.02 penalty schedule at KMC 8.02.360: a civil infraction starting at $50 for a first violation within five years, $100 for a second, $200 for a third, and $400 for four or more, plus a flat $10 court cost and all assessments, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense.

Dog Leash Laws

Kennewick dogs off their owner's property must stay "at heel" or on a leash no longer than eight feet: letting a dog roam or stray violates the City's dog control ordinance.

Key details: Max leash length: 8 feet. "At heel" distance: within 2 feet. First-offense fine: $50. Fourth+ offense fine: $400.

Violating the leash requirement is a civil infraction under KMC 8.02.360, starting at $50 for a first offense within five years and rising to $400 for a fourth or later violation, plus a $10 court cost.

Chickens & Livestock

Kennewick allows up to three chickens (no roosters), plus rabbits, guinea pigs, pigeons and similar small animals, capped at six total, in R, HMU and UMU districts under KMC 18.12.040: enclosures must stay clean and can't create a nuisance.

Key details: Max per kind: 3 (chickens, rabbits, etc.). Combined cap: 6 animals total. Roosters: Not allowed. Zones covered: R, HMU, UMU districts.

Keeping roosters, exceeding three of a kind or six animals combined without a Land Use Permit, or letting animals roam, fly loose, or create a noise/odor nuisance violates KMC 18.12.040 and is subject to code enforcement.

Wildlife Feeding

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules effective May 17, 2025 prohibit feeding deer, elk, and moose statewide to slow chronic wasting disease. RCW 77.15.790 and RCW 77.15.160 establish infractions for intentional feeding. Kennewick has no separate wildlife-feeding ordinance and defers to state law and WDFW Region 3 enforcement.

Key details: State Rule: WDFW effective May 17, 2025. Banned Species: Deer, elk, moose. Authority: RCW 77.15.160 + 77.15.790. Enforcer: WDFW Region 3 + KPD. Local Ordinance: None specific in KMC.

Feeding deer, elk, or moose is an infraction under RCW 77.15.160 with monetary penalties set by the court. Repeat or aggravated negligent feeding of large carnivores can be cited under RCW 77.15.790 with escalating penalties. WDFW Region 3 enforcement officers may order removal of attractants. Park-rule violations within Kennewick city parks are enforced by Kennewick Police and the Parks and Recreation Department.

Exotic Pets

Kennewick Municipal Code § 8.02.026 makes it unlawful to import, acquire, sell, trade, trap or keep any skunk, fox or raccoon as a personal pet within the city, to prevent rabies transmission. The city also adopts Washington's dangerous wild animal statute, RCW ch. 16.30, by reference under § 8.02.024, and treats a bobcat as a "dangerous animal" in its own right.

Key details: Governing section: KMC § 8.02.026, Skunk, Fox, Raccoon Prohibited. Banned as pets: Skunks, foxes, raccoons: import, sale, trapping. Exception: Zoos, circuses, scientific/educational institutions, fur farming. Penalty: Gross misdemeanor. State law adopted: RCW ch. 16.30 dangerous wild animals.

Keeping a prohibited skunk, fox or raccoon as a pet is a gross misdemeanor under Section 8.02.026(2), and Kennewick's general penalty in Section 1.12.020 sets the ceiling for that classification at a fine of up to $5,000.00 and up to one year in jail. Because Section 8.02.024 separately incorporates RCW ch. 16.30 by reference, a person possessing a dangerous wild animal covered by the state statute, such as a big cat or bear, can also face the state law's own penalties.

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

Breed Restrictions

Kennewick doesn't ban dog breeds by name: instead it requires an annual permit, $250,000 liability coverage, and a secure enclosure for any dog or animal declared dangerous or potentially dangerous based on its conduct.

Key details: Basis for declaration: conduct, not breed. Liability coverage: $250,000 minimum. Permit renewal: annual. Appeal window: 10 business days.

Keeping a declared dangerous or potentially dangerous animal without the permit, enclosure, signage, and $250,000 coverage is a gross misdemeanor; a conviction lets the City seek a Benton County District Court order to destroy the animal (KMC 8.02.320(6)).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Kennewick actively enforces its breed restrictions requirements.

The Bottom Line

Kennewick 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 Kennewick, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Kennewick's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.