Animal Ordinances in Pierce County, WA (2026)
11 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Pierce County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
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.
Pierce County Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsPCC 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.
Dog Leash Laws
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.
Pierce County Dog Leash & At-Large Laws
Some RestrictionsPCC 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.
Breed Restrictions
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.
Pierce County Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsRCW 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
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).
Pierce County Beekeeping & Apiary Rules
Some RestrictionsPCC 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.
Exotic Pets
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.
Pierce County Exotic & Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsPCC 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.
Pet Limits
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.
Pierce County Pet Limits & Kennel Threshold
Some RestrictionsPCC 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.
Cat Rules
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.
Pierce County Cat Licensing & Rules
Some RestrictionsPCC 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.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Pierce County Animal Control will not release a dog or cat impounded twice within any 12-month period until it's spayed or neutered, under PCC 6.02.085. The shelter performs or arranges the surgery through a licensed Pierce County veterinarian, and the owner pays the vet bill at redemption. Owners can avoid the mandate only with proof of an existing alteration or a vet's letter that surgery would harm the animal.
Pierce County Mandatory Spay/Neuter for Repeat Impounds
Significant RestrictionsPCC 6.02.085
A. Mandatory Spay/Neuter. Any unaltered dog or cat that is impounded more than once in any 12-month period may not be redeemed by any person until the animal is spayed or neutered. The alteration shall be accomplished by the shelter or by transport of the animal by animal control personnel to any duly licensed veterinarian in Pierce County. In all cases, the veterinarian fees shall be paid at t...
Microchipping
Pierce County doesn't require microchips for pets generally, only for dogs and cats declared dangerous or potentially dangerous. PCC 6.07.030.A makes proof of microchipping a condition of the $500 dangerous-animal permit, and PCC 6.07.040.A imposes the identical requirement for the $250 potentially-dangerous-animal permit. Owners must provide the microchip number to the Auditor's office before the County will issue either permit.
Pierce County Dangerous Animal Microchip Requirement
Significant RestrictionsPCC 6.07.030.A
A. Following the declaration of a dangerous animal and the exhaustion of the appeal therefrom, the owner of a dangerous animal shall obtain a permit for such animal from the Auditor and shall be required to pay the fee for such permit in the amount of $500.00 to the Auditor or the Auditor's designee. In addition, the owner of a dangerous animal shall pay an annual renewal fee for such permit in...
Pet Store Rules
Pierce County pet shops fall under Washington's statewide ban on retail dog and cat sales. RCW 16.52.360, adopted into county law at PCC 5.24.075, bars any retail pet store from selling or offering to sell a dog or cat unless the store sold dogs before July 25, 2021 and sources them only from breeders capped at 50 intact dogs or a USDA-licensed broker.
Pierce County Retail Pet Store Dog and Cat Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRCW 16.52.360
(1) Except as provided in this section, a retail pet store may not sell or offer for sale any dog or cat. (2) A retail pet store that sold or offered for sale any dog prior to July 25, 2021, may sell or offer for sale a dog only if the retail pet store meets the following requirements: (a) Any dog sold or offered for sale must be sold or offered for sale only at the address identified on the re...
Pet Groomer Rules
A grooming parlor in unincorporated Pierce County must hold a county license under PCC 5.24.030, the same chapter that licenses kennels, catteries, and pet shops, and it undergoes fire, planning, and health department review before opening.
Pierce County Pet Grooming Parlor License
Some RestrictionsPCC 5.24.030.A
It shall be 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, foster shelter/kennel/cattery, hobby kennel, grooming parlor, private kennel/cattery, short-term boarding facility, or pet shop, within the unincorporated areas of Pierce County without an applicable license as provided for by this Chapter.
Animal Ordinances by City in Pierce County
2 cities in Pierce County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Pierce County ordinances
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