Animal Ordinances in Pasco, WA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Pasco, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Pasco lets single-family lots of at least 5,000 square feet keep up to three chicken hens and three rabbits under PMC 25.45.030(8), with dogs and cats folded into the same six-animal cap. Roosters are banned outright. Coops and hutches must sit at least 10 feet off every property line, stay behind the rear building line, and can't top 6 feet high or 30 square feet.
Pasco Backyard Chicken and Rabbit Rules
Some RestrictionsPMC 25.45.030(8)
On lots with a minimum of 5,000 square feet and containing only one single-family dwelling unit, the keeping of dogs, cats, rabbits, and chicken hens, provided such number of animals does not exceed three dogs and/or three cats, and/or three rabbits and/or three chicken hens, the total number of animals not to exceed six; in all cases, animals shall not be allowed to roam or fly to other proper...
Dog Leash Laws
Pasco dogs off their owner's property must be controlled by an 8-foot or shorter leash or kept at heel. A dog found away from home without a responsible person in control is prima facie evidence of a violation.
Pasco Dog Leash Law: 8-Foot Max
Some RestrictionsPasco Municipal Code 6.05.040(2)
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 eight f...
Breed Restrictions
Pasco does not ban dog breeds by name; instead the Poundmaster can declare any individual animal potentially dangerous or dangerous, requiring an annual permit, a $250,000 bond or insurance policy, and secure confinement.
Pasco Dangerous Animal Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsPasco Municipal Code 6.05.330
No person shall have, keep or maintain any potentially dangerous or dangerous animal without first obtaining an annual permit from the Poundmaster... (c) $250,000 surety bond issued by a surety insurer qualified under Chapter 48.28 RCW in a form acceptable to the Poundmaster payable to any person injured by the potentially dangerous or dangerous animal; or liability insurance... in the amount o...
Beekeeping
Pasco has no dedicated apiary permit or hive-setback ordinance; PMC 9.90.040(2) instead lists bees among the animals that become a public nuisance only if kept in a way that creates offensive smells, noises, or conditions in the neighborhood. Any owner who lets a hive rise to that level faces the same nuisance abatement process as any other property violation.
Pasco Regulates Bees Only as Nuisances
Light RestrictionsPasco Municipal Code § 9.90.040(2)
The following specific acts, omissions, places, conditions, and things are declared to be nuisances: ... (2) The keeping of rabbits, chickens, goats, pigs, bees, mules, horses, mink, dogs, cats, muskrats, or any other animals within the City limits of the City that are of such nature as to create offensive smells, noises and conditions in the vicinity in which they are kept;
Exotic Pets
Pasco adopts RCW 16.30 by reference to ban possession of potentially dangerous wild animals, naming bobcats specifically, along with any hybrid or cross-mix of such species.
Pasco Bans Potentially Dangerous Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsPasco Municipal Code 6.05.340
The following sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) pertaining to prohibiting possession of potentially dangerous wild animals, including bobcats (lynx rufus, member of the Class mammalia, Order carnivora, Family felide, or any hybrid or cross-mix thereof), as now or hereafter amended are hereby adopted by reference as part of this chapter in all respects as though such sections were...
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding fowl, farm animals, or wildlife anywhere in a Pasco city park is unlawful unless the Director of Administrative and Community Services has designated that specific area for feeding. Breaking the rule is a Class 3 civil infraction, carrying a $50.00 default penalty.
Pasco Bans Feeding Wildlife in Parks
Some RestrictionsPMC 9.100.120
9.100.120 Feeding animals. It is unlawful in any manner to feed any fowl, farm animals or wildlife, except at areas designated by the Director for such purposes. Violation of any of the provisions of this section constitutes a Class 3 civil infraction.
Pet Limits
Pasco's residential zoning code caps households at three dogs and three cats as an accessory use of a home. Larger lots between 5,000 and 22,000 square feet with a single-family home may add up to three rabbits and three chicken hens, but total animals still cannot exceed six.
Pasco Household Dog and Cat Limit
Some RestrictionsPasco Municipal Code § 25.30.030(6), (10)
The keeping of dogs and cats, provided such number of animals does not exceed three dogs and three cats; ... For lots with a minimum of 5,000 square feet but less than 22,000 square feet the keeping of dogs, cats, rabbits, and chicken hens, provided such number of animals does not exceed three dogs and/or three cats, and/or three rabbits and/or three chicken hens, the total number of animals no...
Cat Rules
Cat licensing is optional in Pasco, unlike mandatory dog licensing, and only requires proof of rabies vaccination plus a fee. A stray or at-large cat is still declared a nuisance and can be seized and impounded.
Pasco Cat Licensing and At-Large Rules
Light RestrictionsPasco Municipal Code 6.05.190
6.05.190 License – Cats, optional. Any owner of a cat may obtain a license for their cat for the purpose of identification upon payment of a license fee plus proof that the animal has been given a rabies vaccination.
Looking for Franklin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pasco city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Franklin County →