Animal Ordinances in Tacoma, WA (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Tacoma, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Tacoma allows up to 6 adult poultry and 6 pigeons per parcel, bans roosters citywide, and requires coops to sit at least 12 feet from any neighboring residence, per TMC § 5.30.010.
Tacoma Backyard Chicken & Poultry Limits
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 5.30.010
No more than 6 adult poultry and 6 pigeons are allowed per parcel...Pursuant to TMC § 17.02.041, it is a violation for any person to own, possess, or harbor a rooster within the City limits. Animal enclosures such as a cage or coop shall be set back a minimum of 12 feet from the nearest portion of any residence, dwelling, hotel, apartment house or rooming house.
Dog Leash Laws
In Tacoma parks, dogs and cats must stay on a leash no longer than eight feet outside a designated off-leash area, per TMC § 8.27.120: the citywide running-at-large rule sits separately in Title 17.
Tacoma Dog Leash Rule in City Parks
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 8.27.120
Unless in a designated off-leash area, dogs and cats must be on a leash no longer than eight feet or secured inside a vehicle and are not allowed to enter wading pools, ponds, lakes, fountains, spraygrounds, or any play area designed to utilize water in any park. Animals of any other type are not permitted in any park unless first approved by the Director, except for service animals, as defined...
Beekeeping
Tacoma caps hives at four per lot under 10,000 square feet and requires a 75-foot setback from property lines unless hives sit behind a six-foot fence or hedge, per Chapter 5.24 of the Tacoma Municipal Code.
Tacoma Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 5.24.010
Lots having less than 10,000 square feet shall not have more than four hives. Hives shall not be located within 75 feet of any property line, public street, sidewalk, or alley except when situated behind a solid fence or hedge six feet in height parallel to any property line within 25 feet of the hive and extending at least 20 feet beyond the hive in both directions, or if such fence completely...
Exotic Pets
Tacoma bans keeping lions, tigers, bears, wolves, venomous reptiles, and other dangerous wild animals anywhere zoned residential; outside residential zones, the City Manager can permit them under TMC § 5.23.025.
Tacoma Dangerous Wild Animal Permit
Significant RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 5.23.025
No person shall have, keep, or maintain, or have in his possession or under his control, within any area of the City of Tacoma which is zoned residential any lion, tiger, bear, chimpanzee, gorilla, cougar, mountain lion, badger, wolf, coyote, fox, lynx, or any venomous reptile, or any other dangerous wild animal or reptile; provided, however, that in those areas zoned other than residential suc...
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding, molesting, or offering tobacco, drink, or other harmful substances to wildlife in a Tacoma park is banned unless the Metro Parks Director authorizes it.
Tacoma Park Wildlife-Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 8.27.130
No person shall molest or harass any wildlife or non-domesticated animal in a park. It shall be unlawful for any person to give, offer, or attempt to give to any wildlife or non-domesticated animal within a park any tobacco, drink, or other substance known to be dangerous or noxious to wildlife or non-domesticated animals. It is also unlawful to feed any wildlife or non-domesticated animal in a...
Looking for Pierce County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tacoma city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Pierce County →