Animal Ordinances in Renton, WA (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Renton, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Renton allows up to three chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, or rabbits on lots of at least 4,500 square feet under RMC 4-4-010, with one more bird allowed per additional 1,000 square feet. Roosters and peafowl are banned citywide, goats and sheep need at least 12,500 square feet, and shelters must sit in the rear yard at least ten feet from any property line.
Renton Backyard Chicken & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsRMC 4-4-010.E, .G
E. PROHIBITED ANIMALS: ... the City prohibits the keeping of roosters or peahens/peacocks. ... Small Lot Domestic Animals includes: chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons and rabbits. 3 on lots that are at least 4,500 gross sq. ft. in size. On lots that are larger than 4,500 gross sq. ft., 1 additional small lot domestic animal may be kept per additional 1,000 gross sq. ft. Medium Lot Domestic Animals...
Dog Leash Laws
Renton makes it a strict-liability violation for a dog to be off the owner's property and not under control. Cats are exempt, and dogs may run free only in the City's designated off-leash park. If the loose animal injures a person or another animal, the offense escalates to a misdemeanor.
Renton Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsRenton Municipal Code § 6-6-1(A)
Animal at Large: An Owner is in violation of this Section if his or her Animal is At Large. This subsection does not apply to (a) cats, or (b) dogs in an Off Leash Dog Park so long as the dog and Owner are in compliance with all other applicable rules and regulations. If the Animal is a Vicious Animal or has previously been declared a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Dog, the violation is pun...
Breed Restrictions
Renton does not ban dog breeds by name; instead it regulates dogs individually declared "dangerous" based on documented bites, attacks or kills. Owning a declared dangerous dog is a misdemeanor, and undeclared or non-compliant dogs face confiscation and destruction.
Renton Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsRenton Municipal Code § 6-6-8(A)
It is unlawful for an owner to keep, harbor or maintain a dangerous dog in the City. This Section does not apply to dogs used by law enforcement officials for police work. A violation of this Subsection shall be a misdemeanor and punishable in accordance with RCW 9A.20.021(3) as now stated or hereafter amended.
Beekeeping
RMC 4-4-010.M lets Renton residents keep up to three beehives on a lot of at least 7,500 square feet, or 4,500 square feet if hives are elevated eight feet or screened by a six-foot hedge or fence. Hives must sit at least 25 feet from an interior lot line with entrances facing away from neighbors, and each hive can hold only one swarm.
Renton Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsRMC 4-4-010.M
M. ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR BEEKEEPING: 1. Maximum Number of Hives Generally Permitted: A maximum of three (3) hives are generally permitted and one additional hive may be kept for every additional ten thousand (10,000) gross square feet of lot size. The keeping of bees is allowed to be cumulative with the keeping of animals. 2. Minimum Lot Sizes for Beekeeping: a. Seven thousand five hundred (...
Exotic Pets
Renton outright prohibits keeping wild or dangerous animals within City limits, with only dangerous dogs handled under the separate dangerous-dog process exempted from the ban. Roosters and peahens/peacocks are also flatly prohibited, and violations are misdemeanors.
Renton Wild and Dangerous Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRenton Municipal Code § 6-6-12
Wild or Dangerous Animals: The keeping of wild or dangerous animals is prohibited, with the exception of dangerous dogs under the provisions of RMC 6-6-8. Roosters and Peahens/Peacocks: The keeping of roosters or peahens/peacocks is prohibited. Violation and Penalty: A violation of this Section shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable in accordance with RMC 1-3-1.
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding wildlife that attracts bears, coyotes, or raccoons is prohibited in Renton under RMC 6-6 and state law, while controlled bird feeding is allowed if it avoids sanitation issues.
Renton Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsWDFW, Living with Wildlife — Feeding wildlife
In Washington, even the state's urban hubs are just a short drive from mountains, woods, and wilderness. And with that wilderness comes wildlife, in residents' backyards, crossing roads, and sharing trails. Understanding these animals is key to reducing human/wildlife conflicts. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife offers a wide range of information designed to minimize conflicts betw...
Pet Limits
RMC 4-4-010 caps household pets, dogs, cats, indoor birds, small rodents, and light reptiles, at three per dwelling or commercial building, with no minimum lot size. Keeping four or more dogs and/or cats always requires an Additional Animals Permit under RMC 4-9-100, and every cat or dog needs a City Finance Department license regardless of the total kept.
Renton Household Pet Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsRMC 4-4-010.G
Household Pets includes: dogs, cats, caged indoor birds and small rodents. Non-venomous reptiles and amphibians weighing less than 10 pounds are also included. 3* per dwelling or commercial building; no minimum lot size. A pet license is required from the City Finance Department for each cat or dog. ... *Includes foster animals ... 3. Permit Required for More than Three (3) Dogs and/or Cats: Re...
Cat Rules
Renton requires every cat over four months old to carry a City animal license under RMC 5-4-1, applied for within 30 days of acquisition, with an unlicensed cat a civil infraction. Unlike dogs, cats are expressly exempt from the City's at-large ordinance, RMC 6-6-1, so a roaming cat alone isn't a code violation unless it injures someone or damages property.
Renton Cat Licensing & At-Large Rules
Light RestrictionsRMC 5-4-1; RMC 6-6-1
5-4-1 REQUIRED AGE FOR LICENSING AND PENALTY FOR VIOLATION: A. It shall be unlawful to own or keep a dog or cat of more than four (4) months of age within the City unless the owner or custodian thereof shall have a valid animal license for each such animal. B. A violation of this section shall constitute a civil infraction punishable as set forth in Section 1-3-1 of this code. ... 6-6-1 CONTROL...
Microchipping
Renton does not require every pet owner to microchip in advance, but any animal impounded by Animal Control that was not already microchipped gets one inserted before it can be redeemed. The owner must reimburse the City for the actual microchipping cost on top of impound fees.
Renton Impound Microchipping Requirement
Light RestrictionsRenton Municipal Code § 6-6-2(B)(2)
Microchipping Required: Prior to redemption of an impounded animal that was not microchipped at the time of impound, the City will cause the animal to have a microchip inserted and the owner or custodian of the animal shall, in addition to paying impound fees and other costs, reimburse the City for the actual microchipping cost.
Pet Store Rules
Renton does not ban pet stores outright but bars anyone from selling a dog for more than $1,000 unless the seller confirms the dog was not sourced from a puppy mill. RMC 6-5-4 requires breeder affidavits, buyer inspection rights and full veterinary records before any high-value dog sale closes.
Renton Puppy Mill Dog Sale Ban
Significant RestrictionsRenton Municipal Code § 6-5-4(B)
No Dog Salesperson may sell, market for sale, or deliver a dog within the City of Renton for more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) unless such person first (i) personally confirms through diligent investigation with reasonable certainty that the dog was not bred in a Puppy Mill, (ii) arranges with the Breeder to offer to give any Bona Fide Prospective Buyer an opportunity to interview the Bre...
Pet Groomer Rules
Renton treats pet grooming as a "Services, On-Site" commercial use under RMC 4-11-190, not as home animal-keeping. The zoning use table permits it outright in the Center Village, Commercial Arterial and Center Downtown zones, allows it with added conditions in industrial and other commercial zones, and bars it from nearly every residential zone.
Renton Pet Grooming Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsRMC 4-11-190(L)
L. SERVICES, ON-SITE: Establishments primarily engaged in providing individual or professional services within the place of business, such as beauty and barber shops, retail laundry and dry-cleaning including coin-operated, garment alterations and repair, photo studios, shoe repair, pet grooming, real estate offices, personal accountants, indoor rental services, and repair of personal or househ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Renton zones veterinary offices/clinics as permitted outright in the Resource Conservation and industrial zones plus Commercial Arterial and Commercial/Office/Residential zones, but requires an Administrative Conditional Use Permit limited to South 4th Street parcels in the Residential-14 zone. RMC 4-11-220 caps accessory boarding at 25% of net floor area or five days of short-term care.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules in Renton
Some RestrictionsRMC 4-11-220
VETERINARY OFFICES/CLINICS: A place where common household pets are given medical care and the accessory indoor boarding of animals is limited to twenty five percent (25%) of the net floor area or no more than five (5) days of short-term care incidental to the hospital use.
Bird Protection
Renton makes it a misdemeanor to feed any fowl or bird, or to tease, annoy, disturb, molest, catch, injure, or kill any bird or animal, anywhere in a city park. Renton Municipal Code 2-9-8.B.6 also bars throwing stones or striking wildlife with sticks or other objects, with the only exception carved out for Administrator-authorized wildlife control efforts.
Renton Bird and Wildlife Harassment Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRMC 2-9-8.B.6
6. Wildlife Feeding and Harassment: Tease, annoy, disturb, molest, catch, injure or kill, throw any stone or missile of any kind at or strike with any stick or weapon any animal, bird, or fowl in any manner; or to feed any fowl or bird in any park. ... [Exemption, 2-9-8.A.4.c] Subsection B.6 of this Section, wildlife harassment, does not apply to Administrator authorized wildlife control efforts.
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Renton city rules.
Animal Ordinances in King County →