Animal Ordinances in Kennewick, WA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Kennewick, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Kennewick Backyard Chicken and Fowl Rules
Some RestrictionsKennewick Municipal Code § 18.12.040 (Ord. 5712 Sec. 6, 2017; Ord. 5542 Sec. 4, 2014; Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)
In R, HMU and UMU districts, dogs and cats of the age of ten weeks or older, rabbits, guinea pigs, fowl, pigeons, chickens (excluding roosters) and similar small animals may be kept so long as no more than three of each kind or a combined total of six are kept. All cages, pens, and runs must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and meet setbacks. Animals and birds must not roam or fl...
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.
Kennewick Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsKennewick Municipal Code § 8.02.050(2) (Ord. 5165 Sec. 1, 2006)
Dog Leashes Required. It is unlawful for any owner to cause, permit or allow any dog owned, harbored, controlled or kept by him, in this City, to roam, run at large or stray away from the premises where the same is owned, harbored, controlled or kept, except that while away from said premises, such dog shall at all times be controlled by being "at heel," or by means of a leash not exceeding eig...
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.
Kennewick Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsKennewick Municipal Code § 8.02.320(1) (Ord. 5397 Sec. 4, 2011)
No person shall have, keep or maintain any dangerous or potentially dangerous animal without first obtaining an annual permit from the Poundmaster. A permit will only be granted if the applicant has provided and maintains adequate and effective safeguards and controls for the animal, and has taken all necessary precautions to ensure that the animal will not become a nuisance.
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.
Kennewick Bans Skunks, Foxes, Raccoons as Pets
Heavy RestrictionsKennewick Municipal Code § 8.02.026 (Ord. 5207 Sec. 12, 2007); § 8.02.024 (Ord. 5207 Sec. 11, 2007); § 8.02.010(10)(d) (Ord. 5836 Sec. 1, 2019; Ord. 5432 Sec. 1, 2012; Ord. 5397 Sec. 1, 2011; Ord. 5334 Sec. 1, 2011; Ord. 5207 Sec. 1, 2007; Ord. 3778 Sec. 1(part), 1998; Ord. 3343 Sec. 1, 1991; Ord. 3105 Sec. 1, 1987; Ord. 2022 Sec. 1.01(part), 1976)
8.02.026 Skunk, Fox, Raccoon Prohibited: (1)In order to protect the public health and prevent the occurrence of rabies in dogs and cats and in animals which are used as pets and which may transmit rabies to human beings, it shall be unlawful to:(a)Import into this state any skunk, fox, or raccoon for sale, barter or exchange, or as a gift or for use as a personal pet; or(b)Acquire, sell, barter...
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.
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 ...
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.
Kennewick's Six-Pet Rule Triggers Kennel Licensing
Some RestrictionsKennewick Municipal Code § 8.02.010(8) (Ord. 5836 Sec. 1, 2019)
Commercial Kennel means any lot, premises, building or structure where six or more dogs or six or more cats over six months of age are kept.
Looking for Benton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kennewick city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Benton County →