Animal Ordinances in Clackamas County, OR (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Clackamas County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In unincorporated Clackamas County, chickens and roosters are allowed in rural areas but restricted in urban and residential zones. Keeping poultry and livestock is a zoning matter under the county Zoning & Development Ordinance (ZDO). Cities set their own backyard-chicken rules.
Keeping Chickens & Farm Animals in Clackamas County
Some RestrictionsClackamas County Code Enforcement FAQ (ZDO 821 / 316)
Chickens and roosters are allowed in all rural areas of the county, but there are restrictions in urban areas and/or residential zoning districts.
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Clackamas County a dog off its owner's property must be under the immediate control of a person. A 'dog at large' is a public nuisance and may be impounded. Cities like Oregon City, Lake Oswego and Milwaukie set their own leash rules.
Dog Leash & At-Large Rules in Clackamas County
Some RestrictionsClackamas County Code 5.01.040(B)(1) & 5.01.020(A)(8)
It is unlawful to permit a dog to be a public nuisance. A dog is a public nuisance if it: ... Is a dog at large. ... DOG AT LARGE means a dog that is off or outside the dog owner's property and not under the immediate control of a person.
Breed Restrictions
Clackamas County Code 5.01.050(C) lets a Hearings Officer classify any dog that has menaced, bitten, chased, injured or killed a person, domestic animal or livestock as a dangerous dog. Once classified, the owner must confine the dog in a secure enclosure, muzzle and leash it off the property, obtain a certificate of registration, and microchip it at Dog Services at the owner's own expense.
Dangerous Dog Classification Rules in Clackamas County
Significant RestrictionsClackamas County Code 5.01.050(C)
C. Dangerous Dogs. 1. Classification of Dog as a Dangerous Dog. A dog may be classified by the Hearings Officer as a dangerous dog when it has menaced, bitten, chased, injured or killed any person, domestic animal or livestock. ... 3. Regulation of Dangerous Dogs; Microchip Identification. When a dog has been classified as dangerous, the dog owner shall keep the dog in a secure enclosure and sh...
Pet Limits
Clackamas County sets no hard cap on dogs, but owning more than one dog requires a Multiple Dog License, granted only after a veterinarian or county inspection confirms minimum-care standards are met. Zoning can further limit kennels; cities set their own pet limits.
How Many Dogs You Can Keep in Clackamas County
Some RestrictionsClackamas County Code 5.01.030(A)(2)(a)
When an owner has more than one dog, the owner may obtain or renew a multiple dog license after submitting a completed, qualifying Multiple Dog License Application and after either 1) submitting an inspection certification from a veterinarian licensed in the state of Oregon; or 2) a County inspection of the applicant's premises to determine that the owner is in compliance with minimum care stan...
Cat Rules
Clackamas County requires cats, like dogs, to stay on a leash no longer than six feet whenever they're in a county park, and owners must bag and bin all pet waste. A ranger can order an unleashed or disruptive cat removed from the park, and violations carry $97 or $140 fines depending on the offense.
Cat Leash Rules in Clackamas County Parks
Some RestrictionsClackamas County Code § 6.06.050(J)(2)
2. No dog or cat shall be brought into or kept in a park area unless confined or controlled on a maximum 6-foot long leash. A Park Employee may undertake, or require the person keeping the animal to take any measures, including removal of the animal from the park area, deemed necessary to prevent interference by the animal with the safety, comfort, and wellbeing of park area users, and the appe...
Microchipping
Clackamas County doesn't microchip every dog, but Code 5.01.080(B)(1)(h) lets a Hearings Officer order microchip identification as a condition for any Chapter 5.01 violation, and Code 5.01.050(C)(3)-(4) makes it mandatory once a dog is classified dangerous. Either way, the chip is implanted at Dog Services at the owner's own expense under ORS 609.168.
Dog Microchip Requirements in Clackamas County
Some RestrictionsClackamas County Code 5.01.080(B)(1)(h); 5.01.050(C)(3), (5)(a)
h. Require that the owner obtain microchip identification for the animal. ... 3. Regulation of Dangerous Dogs; Microchip Identification. When a dog has been classified as dangerous, the dog owner shall keep the dog in a secure enclosure ... the dog shall be microchip identified at Dog Services at the expense of the owner, as provided in ORS 609.168. ... a. Declassification. Following an owner's...
Bird Protection
Clackamas County bans hunting, trapping, injuring or otherwise molesting any bird or animal inside county parks, forests and recreation areas. The same rule outlaws discharging or even carrying a loaded firearm, pellet gun, bow, slingshot or paintball gun capable of hurting wildlife or people, and the county's parks fee schedule sets a $367 fine per violation.
No Hunting or Harming Birds in County Parks
Heavy RestrictionsClackamas County Code § 6.06.050(F)(1)
F. Fireworks and Weapons 1. No person shall hunt, pursue, trap, kill, injure, or molest any bird or animal in any park area. 2. No person shall discharge in any park area any firearm, pellet gun, bow and arrow, slingshot, paintball gun, or other weapon capable of injuring any person, bird, or animal. 3. No person, shall possess in any park area any: loaded firearm, loaded pellet gun; p...
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