Animal Ordinances in Lakewood, WA (2026)
14 verified animal ordinances for Lakewood, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Lakewood, Washington allows up to sixteen poultry, pigeons, ducks or rabbits per acre as an accessory use on any residential lot under LMC 18A.40.030(B)(3), with hutches set back ten feet and pens twenty feet from property lines, while roosters, peacocks, turkeys and all livestock other than horses are banned citywide.
Lakewood WA Backyard Chicken & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsLMC 18A.40.030(B)(3)
a. Activities associated with the raising and keeping of animals for agricultural purposes shall be controlled so as not to result in adverse impacts on nearby properties. Such adverse impacts include but are not limited to noise, dust, fertilizer/pesticide overspray, odor, glare and roaming. b. Prohibited animals located in all zoning districts: Peacocks, roosters, turkeys, ostriches, emus, ot...
Dog Leash Laws
Lakewood makes it unlawful for a dog, cat or other animal to be at large on any public street, sidewalk, park, playground or public building, or to trespass on private property without the owner's permission. LMC 6.02.010 defines "at large" as off the owner's premises and not restrained by leash or chain. Violators face civil fines that escalate with repeat offenses.
Lakewood, WA Dog At-Large and Leash Law
Some RestrictionsLMC 6.04.010
It is unlawful for the owner or person having control or custody of any dog, cat, or other animal to allow such dog, cat, or other animal to be at large on any public street, sidewalk or right-of-way, or in any park, or to enter any public beach, pond, fountain, or stream therein, or upon any public playground or school ground or in any public building. ... This section shall not apply to any a...
Breed Restrictions
Lakewood declares a dog dangerous or potentially dangerous under LMC 6.10, incorporating Washington's Chapter 16.08 RCW by reference. An animal control officer with probable cause serves the owner a written declaration describing the dog, the incident and the restrictions imposed. The owner can request a meeting with the City Manager and later appeal the declaration to Lakewood Municipal Court within 20 calendar days.
Lakewood, WA Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsLMC 6.10.010
A. The City of Lakewood may find and declare an animal dangerous or potentially dangerous if an animal control officer has probable cause to believe that the animal falls within the definitions set forth in RCW 16.08.070(1). ... ... D. Upon the issuance of a declaration, the owner shall be notified in writing that he or she is entitled to an opportunity to meet with the City Manager or designee...
Beekeeping
Lakewood, Washington allows noncommercial backyard beekeeping under LMC 18A.40.030(B)(1) on any lot of at least 6,000 square feet with a single-family home, capped at three colonies, but requires zoning certification from the Director, six-foot flight barriers, a dedicated water source and minimum setbacks before a single hive goes in the ground.
Lakewood WA Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsLMC 18A.40.030(B)(1)
No person shall keep, have, maintain or protect upon his or her premises, or any premises or lot within the City, any apiary or colony, hive, cluster, or swarm of stinging insects other than bees pursuant to the following provisions: ... b. ... Any person keeping bees for noncommercial purposes shall obtain zoning certification from the Director and provide an affidavit certifying that the owne...
Exotic Pets
Lakewood, Washington, in Pierce County, bans private possession of exotic animals under LMC 6.14.030. The ban covers venomous snakes, primates, bears, wild cats, wolf hybrids and crocodilians, with violations charged as a misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000 in fines and 90 days in jail.
Lakewood WA Ban on Exotic Animals as Pets
Heavy RestrictionsLMC 6.14.020, 6.14.030, 6.14.050
"Exotic animal" means any of the following: 1. Venomous species of snakes capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death to human beings; 2. Nonhuman primates and prosimians; 3. Bears; 4. Nondomesticated species of felines, including but not limited to cougars, bobcats and lynx; 5. Nondomesticated species of canines and their hybrids, including wolf and coyote hybrids; 6. The order crocod...
Wildlife Feeding
Lakewood, Washington bans feeding birds, fowl or any animal in city park areas under LMC 8.76.341, alongside teasing, molesting or throwing objects at wildlife. It is a civil infraction under LMC 8.76.570 punishable by a fine of up to $125.00.
Lakewood WA Ban on Feeding Wildlife in City Parks
Some RestrictionsLMC 8.76.341, 8.76.570
8.76.341 Wildlife feeding and harassment. ... It is unlawful in any manner to tease, annoy, disturb, molest, catch, injure, or kill, throw any stone or missile of any kind, or strike with any stick or weapon any animal, bird, or fowl, or to feed any fowl, bird or animal in any park area. ... 8.76.570 Infractions. The failure to perform any act required or the performance of any act prohibited b...
Pet Limits
Lakewood lets a household keep up to five dogs and/or cats without a kennel license, but owning, maintaining, or having six or more dogs and cats combined requires a commercial, hobby, or private kennel/cattery license under LMC 6.06.023. The same threshold also covers pet shops and grooming parlors operating without the applicable license.
Lakewood, WA Six-Animal Kennel License Rule
Some RestrictionsLMC 6.06.023(B)
B. License Requirements – Generally. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, maintain, or have six or more dogs and/or cats, or operate a commercial kennel or cattery, foster shelter/kennel/cattery, hobby kennel, grooming parlor, private kennel/cattery, or pet shop, within the City of Lakewood without any applicable license.
Cat Rules
Lakewood requires a current license tag on any cat over eight weeks old, whether it stays home or roams, and any cat off its owner's property must be licensed regardless of age. Female cats in heat must be confined so they can't reach a male, and unlicensed or at-large cats can be seized by animal control under LMC Title 6.
Lakewood, WA Cat Licensing and Confinement Rules
Some RestrictionsLMC 6.06.010
It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, or have control of a dog or cat over the age of eight weeks, whether confined or not, within the corporate boundaries of the City without having a current license tag attached to the collar or harness which is worn by the dog or cat. Any dog or cat which is off the premises of its owner must have a current license, regardless of its age.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Lakewood, Washington, requires a $35.00 alteration deposit before a repeatedly impounded, unaltered dog or cat can be redeemed under LMC 6.02.085. The deposit is refunded on proof of spay or neuter, or waived if a licensed veterinarian certifies the surgery would harm the animal.
Lakewood WA Mandatory Spay/Neuter for Repeat Impounds
Some RestrictionsLMC 6.02.085
6.02.085 Mandatory spay/neuter for impounded dogs and cats – Deposit – Refund – Exception. A. Mandatory Spay/Neuter – Deposit. No unaltered dog or cat that is impounded more than once in any 12-month period may be redeemed by any person until the sum of $35.00 is deposited with the animal control agency to cover the cost of spaying or neutering the animal. B. Refund. The alteration deposit shal...
Microchipping
Lakewood doesn't require microchipping for every pet, but once a dog is declared potentially dangerous or dangerous under LMC Chapter 6.10, its owner must implant a microchip for permanent identification and keep that record on file with both the microchip company and the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County.
Lakewood, WA Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsLMC 6.10.025(E)
E. Implant a microchip in the dog for permanent identification. This information must be on record with the microchip company and the offices of the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County.
Pet Store Rules
Lakewood does not ban retail pet sales, but LMC 6.06.023 requires any pet shop, defined as an establishment that acquires animals bred by others and sells or boards them, to hold a license before selling animals to the public. Applicants must disclose every species they intend to sell.
Lakewood, WA Pet Shop Licensing Rule
Some RestrictionsLMC 6.06.023(A), (G)(9)
“Pet shop” means any person or establishment that acquires animals (dogs, cats, birds, fish, rodents, reptiles, primates, insects, and any/or all others) bred by others, whether as owner, agent, or on consignment, sells or boards any species of animals and offers to sell such animals to the public. ... ... 9. If the applicant is a pet store, a list of all species of animals, i.e., dogs, cats, b...
Pet Groomer Rules
Lakewood defines a "grooming parlor" as any place where animals are bathed, clipped or combed for a fee, and LMC 6.06.023 requires that business to hold a license before operating, alongside commercial kennels, pet shops and catteries. Applicants must prove their location meets the City's zoning rules before the license issues.
Lakewood, WA Pet Grooming Parlor License
Some RestrictionsLMC 6.06.023(A), (G)(6)
“Grooming parlor” means any place or establishment, public or private, where animals are bathed, clipped, or combed for a consideration. ... ... 6. A written statement issued by the City of Lakewood Department of Planning and Public Works (PPW) that such commercial kennel or cattery, foster shelter/kennel/cattery, hobby kennel, grooming parlor, private kennel/cattery, or pet shop is in complian...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Lakewood, Washington's use table permits veterinary clinics in its neighborhood commercial, downtown, general commercial and light industrial zones (NC1, NC2, CBD, C1, C2, I1) and allows them by conditional use in Public/Institutional (PI) zoning, but bars them entirely from every residential district. LMC 18A.40.040(B)(3) requires animal treatment areas to be soundproofed.
Lakewood WA Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsLMC 18A.40.040(B)(3)
The portion of the building or structure in which animals are treated, trained, or kept shall be soundproofed. Kennels, catteries, animal obedience schools, animal shelters, and veterinary clinics shall be operated in accordance with LMC Title 6, Animals, and LMC 18A.40.030, Agricultural uses.
Bird Protection
Lakewood, Washington makes it unlawful to tease, injure, kill, or otherwise harass any bird, fowl or other animal, or to feed one, inside any City park area under LMC 8.76.341. The rule covers throwing objects or striking wildlife with a stick or weapon as well as deliberate feeding, and it applies across every park managed by the Lakewood Parks and Recreation Department.
Lakewood City Park Wildlife Protection
Some RestrictionsLMC 8.76.341
It is unlawful in any manner to tease, annoy, disturb, molest, catch, injure, or kill, throw any stone or missile of any kind, or strike with any stick or weapon any animal, bird, or fowl, or to feed any fowl, bird or animal in any park area.
Looking for Pierce County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lakewood city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Pierce County →