Animal Ordinances in Tacoma, WA (2026)
11 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 residents to keep a limited number of chickens and small livestock at single-family homes, subject to coop setbacks, sanitation rules, and a strict prohibition on roosters within most residential zones.
Backyard Chickens and Small Livestock in Tacoma
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Tacoma requires dogs to be on a leash or under physical control when off the owner's property. Dogs must be licensed with Pierce County. Off-leash areas are available at designated dog parks.
Tacoma Dog Leash Laws & Off-Leash Rules
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Tacoma does not have breed-specific legislation. Washington State preempts local breed bans under RCW 16.08. Dogs are classified as dangerous or potentially dangerous based on behavior, not breed.
Tacoma Dog Breed Restrictions & Dangerous Dog Rules
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Tacoma allows backyard beekeeping in residential zones. Hives must be maintained responsibly with water sources and flyway barriers when near neighbors. Washington State is generally supportive of urban beekeeping.
Tacoma Beekeeping & Apiary Regulations
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Tacoma regulates exotic animals under city health code and Washington State WDFW regulations. Venomous snakes, large cats, primates, and bears are prohibited without special permits. Chickens are allowed but roosters are banned.
Tacoma Exotic Pet & Wild Animal Regulations
Some RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Tacoma prohibits feeding deer, raccoons, coyotes, and other wild mammals because intentional feeding creates dangerous habituation, attracts pests, and increases conflicts in dense neighborhoods near Point Defiance and other green spaces.
Tacoma Restrictions on Feeding Urban Wildlife
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Tacoma treats animal hoarding as a public health and welfare emergency, allowing the Humane Society and Tacoma-Pierce County Health to enter, inspect, remove animals, and pursue criminal cruelty charges in serious cases.
Animal Hoarding Enforcement in Tacoma
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Tacoma caps how many dogs and cats can be kept at one residence and requires a kennel or hobby permit when residents exceed the standard household limit, helping prevent hoarding and nuisance situations.
Tacoma Limits on Number of Household Pets
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Tacoma requires owned cats to be licensed and identified, encourages indoor or supervised outdoor housing, and authorizes the Humane Society to handle stray, nuisance, and trap-neuter-return situations across the city.
Tacoma Cat Licensing and Outdoor Cat Rules
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Tacoma strongly encourages microchipping dogs and cats and treats current chip registration as a key part of licensing and stray reclaim, even though state law does not formally require chips for every pet.
Pet Microchip and Identification Rules in Tacoma
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
Tacoma sees regular coyote activity along greenbelts and parks, and the city coordinates with Washington Fish and Wildlife on hazing, education, and pet safety rather than routine lethal removal of healthy animals.
Coyote Sightings and Management in Tacoma
Some RestrictionsLooking for Pierce County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tacoma city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Pierce County →