10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Pierce County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Backyard chickens and small livestock are allowed in unincorporated Pierce County, with limits scaled to lot size under zoning code PCC 18A.37.060. On lots under one-half acre, up to five small animals are allowed and roosters are prohibited; lots five acres or larger have no numeric limit.
PCC 18A.37.060 (lots less than one-half acre)
Five or fewer small animals, excluding dogs and cats allowed pursuant to PCC above, are allowed. Roosters, peacocks, and male turkeys are prohibited.
In unincorporated Pierce County it is unlawful to let any animal leave the owner's premises unless it is under physical restraint adequate to the animal's size and nature. There is no fixed leash-length number; violations are a Class 3 civil infraction under PCC 6.03.010, enforced by Pierce County Animal Control.
PCC 6.03.010.A
It is unlawful for the owner or person having control or custody of any animal to cause or permit such animal to leave the premises where the owner resides, unless the animal is under physical restraint adequate to the size and nature of the animal.
Pierce County has no breed-specific ban. Dangerous-dog status is determined by an animal's behavior, not its breed, under PCC Chapter 6.07, and Washington law (RCW 16.08.100) bars proving a dog dangerous solely by showing it to be a particular breed.
RCW 16.08.100(3)
The state may not meet its burden of proof that the owner should have known the dog was potentially dangerous solely by showing the dog to be a particular breed or breeds.
Beekeeping is allowed in unincorporated Pierce County under PCC Chapter 8.94. Hives must be registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, kept in movable-frame hives, and placed at least 25 feet from a property line (closer only behind a 6-foot flyway barrier).
PCC 8.94.040.A
Hives shall be at least 25 feet from a property line, with the hive(s) entrance(s) facing away from or parallel to the nearest property line.
Potentially dangerous wild animals are tightly regulated in unincorporated Pierce County under PCC Chapter 6.16. Species prohibited by state law (RCW 16.30.010) may not be kept at all; other potentially dangerous wild animals require a permit from the Pierce County Auditor.
PCC 6.16.020
Persons residing in the unincorporated area of Pierce County may keep potentially dangerous wild animals other than those defined in and prohibited by RCW if they obtain a permit as defined in PCC from the Auditor or the Auditor's designated agent.
Pierce County Code has no ordinance specifically prohibiting the feeding of wildlife in the unincorporated county. Feeding that attracts pests or creates a health or safety problem can still be addressed as a public nuisance, and Washington state wildlife rules discourage feeding deer and other game.
Livestock keeping in unincorporated Pierce County is set by zoning code PCC 18A.37.060 and scales with lot size. Lots under one-half acre allow only two small livestock; lots five acres or larger have no numeric limit. Setbacks and manure-management rules apply.
PCC 6.02.010
"Livestock" means all cattle, sheep, goats, or animals of the bovidae family; all horses, mules, other hoof animals, or animals of the equidae family; all pigs, swine, or animals of the suidae family; llamas; and ostriches, rhea, and emu.
Pierce County addresses hoarding through animal-cruelty, neglect, and licensing law. Keeping six or more dogs and/or cats requires a kennel license, owners must provide 'adequate care,' and cruelty or neglect is enforced under state law (RCW 16.52) and can lead to a 10-year ban on owning animals for habitual violators.
PCC 6.03.020.I
It is unlawful for any person to own, maintain, or have six or more dogs and/or cats, or operate a commercial kennel or cattery, boarding kennel/cattery, short-term boarding facility, or pet shop, within the unincorporated areas of Pierce County without an applicable license.
No more than five dogs and/or cats may be individually licensed at a residence in unincorporated Pierce County under PCC 6.04.010. Keeping six or more dogs and/or cats requires a kennel or cattery license, and licenses are issued by the Pierce County Auditor.
PCC 6.04.010.B
No more than five dogs and/or cats may be individually licensed at a residence in Pierce County. Dogs and cats are exempt from the above licensing provisions when they are in the custody of a recognized animal rescue group or in a kennel licensed by the Pierce County Auditor.
Cats that go off their owner's premises must be licensed and wear a current tag under PCC 6.04.010, issued by the Pierce County Auditor. Cats are subject to the same at-large restraint rules as other animals, and no more than five dogs and cats may be licensed per residence.
PCC 6.04.010.A
Any adult dog or cat which is off the premises of its owner must be licensed and have a current license tag attached to the collar or harness which is worn by the dog or cat.
3 cities in Pierce County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Pierce County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Pierce County Ordinance Hub →