Animal Ordinances in Kennewick, WA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Kennewick, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Kennewick Municipal Code 18.12.040 permits chickens (hens only, no roosters) along with dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, fowl, and pigeons in R, HMU, and UMU zoning districts. The cap is three of any one kind and a combined total of six small animals per residential parcel.
Kennewick Chickens & Livestock (KMC 18.12.040)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Kennewick Municipal Code Chapter 8.02 prohibits dogs from running at large. Off the owner's premises, a dog must be at heel or restrained by a leash not exceeding eight feet, held by the owner or a competent person. Tri-City Animal Services enforces and impounds at-large dogs.
Kennewick Dog Leash & At-Large (KMC Ch. 8.02)
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
The City of Kennewick repealed its breed-specific legislation in November 2019, removing the automatic potentially-dangerous designation for pit bulls, Staffordshire terriers, and similar breeds. Dogs now qualify as dangerous or potentially dangerous only based on actual behavior under KMC 8.02. Washington State has no statewide BSL preemption.
Kennewick Breed Rules (BSL Repealed Nov 2019; No State Preemption)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Kennewick has no dedicated beekeeping ordinance. Apiculture is generally permissible as an accessory residential use subject to nuisance rules in KMC 18.12.040. Washington RCW 15.60 requires every beekeeper, regardless of hive count, to register annually with the Washington State Department of Agriculture by April 1.
Kennewick Beekeeping (RCW 15.60 WSDA Registration)
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Washington RCW 16.30 (Dangerous Wild Animals Act, effective July 22, 2007) prohibits ownership, possession, breeding, and import of potentially dangerous wild animals including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, crocodilians, and venomous snakes. Kennewick defers to RCW 16.30 and has no separate local exotic-pet ordinance.
Kennewick Exotic Pets (RCW 16.30 Dangerous Wild Animals Act)
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife 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.
Kennewick Wildlife Feeding (RCW 77.15.790 + WDFW Deer/Elk Ban)
Some RestrictionsRCW 77.15.790
(2) If a fish and wildlife officer, ex officio fish and wildlife officer, or animal control authority, as defined in RCW 16.30.010 , has probable cause to believe that a person is negligently feeding, attempting to feed, or attracting large wild carnivores to land or a building by placing or locating food, food waste, or other substance in, on, or about any land or building, and the food, food ...
Animal Hoarding
Animal hoarding in Kennewick is prosecuted under Washington RCW 16.52 (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). First-degree cruelty is a Class C felony; second-degree cruelty, which reaches neglect typical of hoarding, is a misdemeanor. KMC 18.12.040 also caps small animals at three per kind and six total per residential parcel.
Kennewick Animal Hoarding (RCW 16.52 + KMC 18.12.040 Cap)
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Kennewick Municipal Code 18.12.040 caps small animals at three of any one kind and a combined total of six per residential parcel in R, HMU, and UMU districts. The cap covers dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, fowl, pigeons, and hens. Roosters are prohibited. Additional animals require a Land Use Permit.
Kennewick Pet Limits (3 Per Kind, 6 Total — KMC 18.12.040)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Benton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kennewick city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Benton County →