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

If you live in Yakima or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Yakima has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Exotic Pets

Washington RCW Chapter 16.30 (Dangerous Wild Animals, eff. July 22, 2007) prohibits ownership, possession, breeding, or importation of potentially dangerous wild animals statewide - including big cats, bears, wolves, hyenas, non-human primates, elephants, rhinoceroses, certain reptiles, and venomous snakes. Yakima enforces the state ban locally through YMC Chapter 6.20 nuisance/dangerous-animal provisions.

Key details: State Ban: RCW Chapter 16.30 (eff. July 22, 2007). Prohibited (Examples): Big cats, bears, wolves, primates, venomous snakes. Grandfather: Lawful possessors before July 22, 2007. Local Authority: Cities may adopt MORE restrictive rules (RCW 16.30.060). Native Wildlife: Prohibited under RCW Title 77 (WDFW).

Possession of a prohibited dangerous wild animal under RCW 16.30.030 results in immediate confiscation and state-law penalties. Local enforcement under YMC Chapter 6.20 nuisance/dangerous-animal provisions adds municipal penalties (general penalty up to $1,000 / 90 days). Possession of native wildlife violates RCW Title 77 (enforced by WDFW).

This is one of the stricter rules in Yakima's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Breed Restrictions

Yakima has no active breed-specific dog legislation. The city's longstanding pit bull ban (YMC Chapter 6.18, enacted 1987) was repealed by the City Council in 2018, effective Sept. 23, 2018. Washington state law (RCW 16.08.110, from HB 1026, eff. Jan. 1, 2020) now preempts most local breed-specific bans.

Key details: Current Breed Ban: None. Pit Bull Ban Repealed: Sept. 23, 2018 (City Council vote, 5-2). Former Code: YMC Chapter 6.18 (repealed). Conduct Standard: YMC Chapter 6.20 (Dangerous Dog). State Preemption: RCW 16.08.110 (HB 1026), eff. Jan. 1, 2020.

Yakima no longer enforces a breed-based pit-bull ban. Dogs declared 'dangerous' under YMC Chapter 6.20 (conduct-based) may not be kept within city limits except as expressly authorized; owners of a designated dangerous dog face removal orders plus penalties under the general penalty provision of YMC Title 1.

Yakima is more permissive than most cities when it comes to breed restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

Dog Leash Laws

All dogs in the City of Yakima must be on leash and not running at large; designated off-leash dog parks (e.g., Randall Park) are exempt. All adult dogs must be licensed within 30 days of acquisition; license requires current rabies vaccination. Fees are $25/year altered or $75/year unaltered ($60/$180 for three years).

Key details: Leash Required: All dogs off owner's property. Off-Leash Areas: Designated dog parks (e.g., Randall Park). License Required: All adult dogs; within 30 days of acquisition. Rabies Vaccine: Required for dogs 4+ months as prerequisite to license. 1-Year License Fee: $25 altered / $75 unaltered.

Dog at large, no current license, or expired rabies vaccination is enforceable by Yakima Police Animal Control under YMC Chapter 6.20. Impoundment and impound-redemption fees apply. Failure to pick up feces in city parks is enforceable as a separate violation.

Chickens & Livestock

Yakima allows up to four hen chickens as accessory pets on residential lots under the Yakima Municipal Code; roosters are prohibited. Coops, chicken tractors, and rabbit hutches must be set back at least 10 feet from any residence or property line and 5 feet from other structures, and must be confined to the backyard area.

Key details: Hen Limit: 4 hen chickens (pet/accessory use). Roosters: Prohibited. Coop Setback: >= 10 ft from residence/property line; >= 5 ft from other structures. Coop Location: Backyard only. Minimum Lot (> 4 hens): 0.5 acre under YMC 15.09.070.

Keeping a rooster, more than four hens, or chickens at large is enforceable by Yakima Code Administration and Yakima Police Animal Control. Poultry at large is a civil infraction; nuisance/sanitation violations and coop-setback violations under YMC Title 15 may carry municipal-court penalties up to $1,000 and/or 90 days jail (general penalty, YMC 1.16.010).

Beekeeping

Yakima Municipal Code does not contain a dedicated city beekeeping chapter. Beekeeping is regulated as an accessory residential use under YMC Title 15 nuisance and animal-husbandry rules. Every Washington beekeeper must register their hives annually with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) by April 1 under RCW Chapter 15.60 (Apiaries).

Key details: Local Bee Ordinance: None dedicated in YMC. Accessory Use Rules: YMC Title 15 (nuisance/animal husbandry). Min Lot (commercial/husbandry): 0.5 acre (YMC 15.09.070). State Registration: WSDA, annually by April 1 (RCW 15.60.021). Liability Protection: RCW 15.60.021 (registered apiarist + local-ordinance compliance).

Failure to register with WSDA by April 1 is a violation of RCW Chapter 15.60. Nuisance-bee operations are enforceable under YMC Chapter 6.20 general animal-nuisance provisions (general penalty up to $1,000 / 90 days). Commercial-scale apiaries on lots under 0.5 acre violate YMC 15.09.070 zoning.

Wildlife Feeding

Effective May 17, 2025, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) made it illegal statewide to intentionally feed deer, elk, or moose, or to place feed (bird feeders, grain, salt, fruit, hay) that causes those species to congregate. Feeding bears and other carnivores was already prohibited. The rule applies in Yakima. WDFW's long-running Oak Creek elk feeding program northwest of Yakima is an agency-managed exception.

Key details: State Prohibition (Cervids): Deer, elk, moose - eff. May 17, 2025. State Prohibition (Carnivores): Bears and other carnivores (pre-existing). Bird Feeders: Must be removed if attracting deer/elk/moose. Oak Creek Exception: WDFW-managed elk feeding NW of Yakima only. Reason: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) detected in WA 2024.

Intentionally feeding deer, elk, or moose: WDFW infraction under WAC 220-440, effective May 17, 2025. Feeding bears or other carnivores: existing WDFW prohibition. Improper attractant/trash containment can also be cited under YMC Title 4 / Title 11 sanitation rules.

This is one of the stricter rules in Yakima's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Livestock

Yakima allows traditional livestock - cattle, horses, ponies, mules, llamas, goats, sheep, swine, rabbits, and poultry - under the 'animal husbandry' rules of YMC 15.09.070, which require a minimum lot size of one-half acre within the urban area. Smaller residential lots are limited to 'pet' animals (up to 4 hen chickens or rabbits). Yakima's Suburban Residential (SR) zone is designed for small farms and scattered low-density development.

Key details: Code: YMC 15.09.070 (Special requirements for animal husbandry). Min Lot Size: 0.5 acre within the Yakima urban area. Farm Animals Covered: Cattle, horses, ponies, mules, llamas, goats, sheep, rabbits, poultry, swine. Pet Exception: <= 4 hens (no roosters) or rabbits. Primary Zone: Suburban Residential (SR) - small farms.

Keeping domestic farm animals (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, swine, more than 4 hens) on a lot under 0.5 acre, or in a zone where animal husbandry is not allowed, violates YMC 15.09.070 and is enforceable by Yakima Planning / Code Administration. General penalty up to $1,000 and/or 90 days jail (YMC 1.16.010) plus removal orders.

The Bottom Line

Yakima is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Yakima, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Yakima can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.