Animal Ordinances in Hillsboro, OR (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Hillsboro, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Hillsboro requires a City-approved livestock permit before keeping any livestock under HMC 6.20.070, bans standard livestock like horses or cows on residential lots outright, and caps miniature livestock at 2 animals with a 15-foot enclosure setback.
Hillsboro Livestock Permit & Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsHillsboro Municipal Code § 6.20.070(A)(2), (B)
B. Permitting. Prior to keeping livestock, a keeper must: 1. Submit a livestock permit on a form provided by the City demonstrating compliance with the standards of this subchapter. Incomplete permits or permits submitted without the fee under HMC 6.20.070(B)(2), will be denied; ... c. All portions of an enclosure for miniature livestock are to be located a minimum of 15 feet from any property ...
Dog Leash Laws
Hillsboro requires dogs to be leashed off the owner's property. Washington County Animal Services enforces leash laws.
Hillsboro Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsWashington County Animal Code 6.04.260(3); HMC Subchapter 6.20
Animal Regulations: Dogs, Cats, Chickens, and Livestock Under Washington County Animal Code 6.04.260(3) it is a Class C Civil Infraction for a dog owner or keeper to allow a dog or dogs to cause a continuous annoyance for a total of five or more minutes out of any fifteen-minute period. Residents may keep no more than three adult dogs or three adult cats within the City. Residents may keep a li...
Beekeeping
Hillsboro homeowners may keep up to 3 hives, set back at least 10 feet from property lines, with mandatory notice to neighbors first.
Hillsboro Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsHillsboro Municipal Code § 6.20.080(A)
Bee hives/colonies may only be kept on single-family residential property; No more than 3 bee hives/colonies may be kept; ... All portions of the hives/colonies must either be located a minimum of 10 feet from any property line unless there is no barrier, such as a fence or hedge, that is at least 6 feet in height on all relevant property lines, in which case a minimum of 15 feet applies.
Exotic Pets
Hillsboro defers exotic-pet eligibility to state and federal wildlife agencies but bans breeding, slaughter, and sale of animal products at home.
Hillsboro Exotic Animal Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsHillsboro Municipal Code § 6.20.090(A), (B), (D)
Exotic animals are allowed on residential property provided the federal, state and local standards, laws and regulations applicable to the particular species are met by the keeper. The applicability of exotic animal standards is determined by the authorized government agencies.B.Exotic animals may not be bred;C.Products generated by exotic animals, such as eggs, hides or meat, may not be sold f...
Pet Limits
Hillsboro caps household pets at 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 4 rabbits per property under HMC 6.20.030, exempting young offspring of an animal already living there; exceeding the cap requires a City animal services facility license.
Hillsboro Dog, Cat & Rabbit Limits
Some RestrictionsHillsboro Municipal Code § 6.20.030
Except as provided in HMC 6.20.040, no person may keep more than: A. Three dogs on any property, unless the dogs are under 6 months of age and are offspring of a resident female dog; B. Three cats on any property unless the cats are under 4 months of age and are offspring of a resident female cat; or C. Four rabbits on any property unless the rabbits are under 2 months of age and are offspring ...
Cat Rules
Hillsboro exempts cats from its at-large prohibition, so they may roam freely, but caps ownership at 3 cats per property unless extras are kittens under 4 months from a resident female, per HMC 6.20.010 and 6.20.030.
Hillsboro Cat At-Large & Ownership Rules
Light RestrictionsHillsboro Municipal Code §§ 6.20.010(A), 6.20.030(B)
A. Running at large. No keeper may allow an animal, other than a cat, to run at large upon any street, sidewalk, public place not designated for that use or private property that is not under the control of the keeper. ... Except as provided in HMC 6.20.040, no person may keep more than: ... B. Three cats on any property unless the cats are under 4 months of age and are offspring of a resident ...
Pet Groomer Rules
Pet grooming businesses in Hillsboro fall under the Community Development Code's 'Animal Service Facility' use category, which sets where such facilities can locate and requires Conditional Use approval for any outdoor exercise runs.
Hillsboro Pet Groomer Facility Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsHillsboro Community Development Code § 12.40.110(B)
Animal service facilities primarily enclosed within a building, or having exterior yards for supervised activity only, may be permitted in certain zones, subject to Section 12.80.040. Where allowed, facilities with outdoor runs allowing unsupervised activity are permitted only as conditional uses under Section 12.80.020.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics in Hillsboro are regulated as animal service facilities: indoor or supervised-yard operations need Development Review approval, while any outdoor run allowing unsupervised animal activity requires a conditional use permit.
Hillsboro Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsHillsboro Community Development Code § 12.40.110
Animal service facilities primarily enclosed within a building, or having exterior yards for supervised activity only, may be permitted in certain zones, subject to Section 12.80.040. Where allowed, facilities with outdoor runs allowing unsupervised activity are permitted only as conditional uses under Section 12.80.020.
Looking for Washington County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hillsboro city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Washington County →