How Many Pets (Dogs/Cats) Can You Own in Washington State?

Like many other states, Washington State has no statewide law regulating the number of household pets you can have. However, your city or county may have its own rules and regulations regarding pet ownership. This means that pet ownership in Washington State is regulated at local levels rather than at the state level. As a result, how many dogs or cats you can legally own in the Evergreen State depends on where you live. In some Washington State cities, you can't keep more than 4 cats or 4 dogs. To determine the allowable number of pets per residence in your area, check with your local Animal Control. Meanwhile, here is how many pets you can have in these Washington State municipalities.

1. Seattle, WA

Unless your property is over 20,000 square feet, you can't have more than 3 dogs or 3 cats in Seattle, WA. As required by the city's municipal code, every cat and dog over the age of 8 weeks in Seattle must have a valid animal license. If you just moved into the City of Seattle, you have 30 days to obtain a valid license for your pets. Potbelly pigs and miniature goats are also legal to own as household pets in Seattle. Like dogs and cats, potbelly pigs and miniature goats are also required by the City Code to be licensed.

2. Spokane, WA

No more than four dogs and/or four cats are allowed per residence in the City of Spokane, WA. According to the Spokane County Code, you may obtain a kennel license to exceed these limits, which does not apply to dogs and cats under the age of 6 months. Every dog and cat six months of age or older in Spokane is required by the County Code to be vaccinated against rabies. In addition, an annual pet license must be obtained for all dogs and cats six months of age or older in Spokane County.

3. Tacoma, WA

You may have 6 dogs and/or 6 cats without a permit at your residence in Tacoma, Washington State. Dogs and cats under the age of seven months are exempt from this limitation. According to the City's Animal Control, any premises on which 7 or more cats and/or dogs over the age of seven months are kept is deemed a kennel. When off the premises of its owner, a dog must be controlled by a leash or chain not more than 8 feet in length. In addition, such control must be exercised by a competent and authorized person, as required by the Tacoma Municipal Code.

4. Vancouver, WA

In Vancouver, Washington State, each household is limited to 3 dogs five months old or older. The keeping of 4 or more dogs 5 months old or older, as per the Vancouver Municipal Code, constitutes a Kennel, the operation of which must meet certain requirements. The keeping of miniature animals such as mini goats, mini horses, and mini pigs is allowed in Vancouver, Washington. However, the combined total of all miniature animals and dogs must not exceed three on a single premise. You may exceed this limit, provided you meet the lot size requirements for small livestock specified in the City Code, which does not restrict the number of cats you can own.

5. Everett, WA

In Everett, WA, a home in which more than 4, but less than 8 sterilized dogs and/or cats are kept must obtain a facility permit. A facility permit is also required for homes wherein 3 - 8 dogs and/or cats are kept, and at least one of the animals is not sterilized. In addition to the facility permit, each dog/cat must be licensed to the address where it resides or is kept, according to the city's website. The City Code allows for up to three miniature goats to be kept on lots over 10,000 square feet of a single-family residential dwelling unit. The keeping of no more than 2 miniature pot-bellied pigs is also allowed in Everett.

6. Renton, WA

In Renton, WA, no more than 3 household pets are allowed per dwelling unit. Animals considered as household pets in the city include dogs, cats, caged birds, small rodents, non-venomous reptiles, and amphibians weighing less than 10 pounds. On a 12,500 square feet lot, the keeping of 2 mini goats, 6 rabbits, and 3 household pets (dogs or cats) is permitted outright.

7. Kirkland, WA

In residential zones within the City of Kirkland, each household is limited to 3 dogs or 3 cats or any combination of both animals not exceeding a total of 4. In addition, up to a total of 4 rabbits are allowed per property. According to Kirkland's website, there is no limit on the number of other small household pets such as birds, fish, or hamsters you can own.

8. Kennewick, WA

In residential districts within Kennewick, WA, a maximum of 6 pets is allowed per household. Of those 6 animals, no more than 3 may be dogs or cats. In essence, this means that you may have 3 dogs and 3 cats—but not 6 dogs or 6 cats. Other animals included under this limit are rabbits and guinea pigs. There are exceptions, according to Kennewick's Animal Control, provided you obtain a permit issued allowing for additional animals or if the animals are under 10 weeks old.

9. Auburn, WA

A maximum of four dogs or four cats or any combination of dogs and cats totaling four is allowed per residence in Auburn, Washington State. A violation of this restriction is deemed a Class 1 infraction, with a penalty not exceeding $250, according to the Auburn Municipal Code. A pet license is required for each dog and cat kept in the city.

10. Redmond, WA

Each dwelling unit in Redmond, WA, is limited to 3 household pets plus one un-weaned litter produced by any of the pets. Household pets, according to the city's municipal code, include dogs, cats, hamsters, nonvenomous snakes, caged birds, and rabbits. This restriction does not apply to small animals such as gerbils, hamsters, birds, and nonvenomous snakes.