Animal Ordinances in Portland, OR (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Portland, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Portland allows up to three 'specified animals' (chickens, ducks, pigeons, rabbits, or similar small fowl/rodents) per residential lot without a permit under PCC 13.05.015. Four or more requires a $31 Multnomah County Animal Services specified-animal permit and a site inspection. Roosters are not separately banned, but crowing that disturbs neighbors is enforceable under PCC Title 18 (Noise Control). All coops must comply with PCC Title 33 setback and accessory-structure rules.
Portland Backyard Chickens & Small Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Multnomah County Code 13.501 requires all dogs in Portland to be on a leash, chain, or other physical restraint not exceeding 8 feet when off the owner's private property, except inside Portland Parks & Recreation designated off-leash areas. A dog running at large is subject to impoundment under MCC 13.701 and a citation. The leash law applies in all city parks unless the area is posted as off-leash.
Portland Dog Leash Law (Multnomah County)
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Portland has no breed-specific legislation (BSL). Oregon state law at ORS 609.092 preempts cities and counties from adopting ordinances that target specific dog breeds; local dangerous-dog rules must be based on individual behavior. Multnomah County regulates 'potentially dangerous' and 'dangerous' dogs under MCC 13.401-13.413 based on conduct, not breed.
Portland Dog Breed Restrictions (None — State Preemption)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Portland allows beekeeping on residential property without a permit under Title 13 (amended 2020). Beekeepers must notify neighbors within 150 feet, register with Oregon Department of Agriculture (5+ hives), maintain a 6-foot flyaway barrier within 10 feet of property lines, and follow OSU Extension best practices.
Portland Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Oregon ORS 609.305-609.335 bans private possession of 'exotic animals' — non-human primates, non-domesticated felines (lions, tigers, leopards), wolves, bears, and crocodilians — unless the owner held a permit before January 1, 2010 (grandfathered). Multnomah County Code 13.001 reiterates the prohibition and authorizes MCAS to impound illegally kept exotic animals. Reptiles, parrots, ferrets, and pot-bellied pigs are generally allowed in Portland subject to the specified-animal permit rules (MCC 13.05).
Portland Exotic Pet Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Oregon law at ORS 496.730 prohibits feeding any 'predatory animal' (coyote, cougar, bear) by intentional placement of food that attracts the animal — a Class A misdemeanor. Portland has no broad citywide ban on backyard bird feeding, but PCC 29.20.030 (Property Maintenance) reaches accumulations of food or garbage that attract rats, raccoons, or other vector wildlife. Securing trash under PCC 17.102 is required, and feeding feral cats in a way that creates a nuisance can be cited under PCC Title 29.
Portland Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Portland is a fully urban jurisdiction, and large livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, full-size pigs) are generally not permitted on standard residential lots. MCC 13.05.015 limits residential keeping to three small specified animals without a permit, with miniature/pygmy goats and pot-bellied pigs expressly allowed under the specified-animal program. Large agricultural animals are confined to land zoned for farming under PCC Chapter 33.140 (Open Space, Farm, Forest zones) outside the urban services area.
Portland Livestock Rules (Goats, Pigs, Horses)
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
The City of Portland contracts animal services to Multnomah County, so animal hoarding is regulated under Multnomah County Code (MCC) Chapter 13 and Oregon's animal-cruelty statutes. Keeping animals in unsanitary conditions or beyond the household's ability to care for them constitutes 'cruel mistreatment' under ORS 167.310-167.330, and the County Animal Services Director may impound animals and pursue criminal charges. Felony animal neglect applies under ORS 167.330 when 11 or more animals are kept in violation.
Portland & Multnomah County Animal Hoarding Rules
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Portland and Multnomah County do not impose a hard numerical cap on dogs or cats per household, but MCC 13.05.015 caps 'specified animals' (chickens, ducks, rabbits, miniature goats, pot-bellied pigs) at three per residential lot without a permit. Keeping unusually large numbers of dogs or cats can trigger kennel-licensing requirements under MCC 13.301, nuisance enforcement under PCC Title 29, and zoning rules barring commercial kennels in residential zones (PCC 33.110.030).
Portland Household Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Multnomah County requires all cats over six months old kept within Portland city limits to be licensed under MCC 13.301. Licenses must be renewed annually and require proof of current rabies vaccination. Cats are not required to be leashed under Portland or Multnomah County law, but cats running at large that damage property or wildlife may be impounded by Multnomah County Animal Services under MCC 13.701.
Portland Cat Licensing & Outdoor Rules
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Multnomah County does not currently require microchipping of all dogs and cats, but microchipping is mandatory for any animal designated 'potentially dangerous' under MCC 13.401 and is required for the discounted lifetime license tag program under MCC 13.301. All animals impounded by Multnomah County Animal Services are scanned for microchips on intake under MCC 13.701, and unclaimed sterilized animals are typically microchipped before adoption.
Portland Pet Microchipping Rules
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
Portland follows ODFW guidance and the Portland Urban Coyote Project for coexistence, prohibiting feeding, allowing hazing, and reserving lethal removal for animals that pose a documented public-safety threat.
Coyote conflict management in Portland
Some RestrictionsLooking for Multnomah County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Portland city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Multnomah County →