A. 
It is a violation for any person to own, keep, or have control of a dog or cat over the age of eight weeks in the City, whether confined or not, without having a current license tag attached to a collar or harness which shall be worn by the cat or dog at all times; provided, that cats need not display a license identification tag if the cat is licensed and has been implanted with microchip identification and the microchip number is registered with the Finance Department of the City, and such microchip is acceptable to and readable by the animal control officer. All dogs must display a license tag in a public place regardless of whether or not the dog has been implanted with a microchip or tattooed with its license number. Provided, that while a dog or cat is competing in a sanctioned dog or cat show, it is not required to display its license tag while competing. Upon demand from an animal control officer or police officer, however, any person in possession of an animal competing in a sanctioned show must provide proof that the animal is licensed in accordance with this title.
B. 
Any person in possession of a dog or cat in a public place must, upon demand from an animal control officer or police officer, display the animal’s license tag, except that a cat properly microchipped in accordance with this chapter need not display a tag, but must allow the officer to scan or read the microchip. Refusal to display the tag or to allow scanning or reading the microchip is a violation and the animal may be impounded.
C. 
Any person in possession of a dog or cat on private property that is not open to the public must, upon demand from an animal control officer or police officer, provide proof that the animal is licensed in accordance with this title.
D. 
The following are the maximum number of dogs and cats which may be owned by a resident of the City or kept at a street address or physical location in the City:
1. 
Six dogs or six cats or any combination of dogs and cats totaling six animals.
2. 
After June 1, 2025, absent proof of prior ownership, only one of the total maximum number of dogs and cats owned by a person may be unaltered.
E. 
The maximum limits on dogs and cats at a street address or physical location does not apply to the facilities of the Humane Society or other animal shelter, veterinary hospitals, or kennel in compliance with this title.
(Ord. 26949 § 6, 2002-07-16; Ord. 27558 § 14, 2006-12-05; Ord. 27672 Ex. A, 2007-12-11; Ord. 29040 Ex. A, 2025-06-10)
A. 
The deliberate breeding of companion animals for profit is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to breed, advertise, sell or offer for sale, any companion animal, for the purposes of profit without a current business license issued under Chapter 6B.20 in Tacoma Municipal Code. Violation of this subsection by any person or corporation shall be a civil infraction punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per litter deliberately bred. Anyone found guilty of this provision may cure this fine by providing proof that all of the animals bred and their offspring have been spayed or neutered to the Animal Control Officer, via inspection of the animals in question and veterinary records, and that all breeding activity on the property has ceased.
B. 
Exception for accidental litters. The prohibition on the deliberate breeding of companion animals for profit shall not apply to litters of companion animals which we were bred due to accident, provided that the person responsible for the animals provides proof to the Animal Control Officer that the animals bred have been spayed or neutered.
(Ord. 29040 Ex. A, 2025-06-10)
All dog and cat licenses shall be obtained by paying the required annual license fees, in the amounts and within the time limits as provided in this chapter, to the Finance Department of the City or to an agent authorized by the City. The applicant shall be furnished with such license and a permanent metal tag. The tag shall be attached to a collar or harness which shall be worn by the cat or dog at all times; provided, that cats need not display a license identification tag if the cat is licensed and has been implanted with microchip identification and the microchip number is registered with the Finance Department of the City, and such microchip is acceptable to and readable by the animal control officer. A person under the age eighteen years is not eligible to purchase a pet license.
(Ord. 26949 § 6, 2002-07-16; Ord. 27447 § 16, 2005-12-13; Ord. 27672 Ex. A, 2007-12-11; Ord. 28395 Ex. A, 2016-11-22)
All licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this title, except as to those licenses for which a different term is herein specified, shall be effective as of the first day of the month of issuance regardless of the actual date of issue and shall expire one year from the effective date thereof.
(Ord. 28395 Ex. A, 2016-11-22)
The City shall keep a record of the names and addresses of persons to whom licenses are issued, the number and date of the license, and the amount paid for the same. Every pet owner must notify the Finance Department if the owner moves the animal to a new address or if the owner changes his or her mailing address.
(Ord. 26949 § 6, 2002-07-16; Ord. 27447 § 17, 2005-12-13; Ord. 27672 Ex. A, 2007-12-11)
The annual license fees for the ownership, keeping, or having control of dogs or cats in the City shall be as follows:
A. 
Adult dogs and cats.
 
Effective prior to September 1, 2025
Effective September 1, 2025
Cat Altered
$20
$30
Cat Unaltered
$65
$175
Dog Altered
$30
$40
Dog Unaltered
$65
$175
B. 
Reduced rates for senior citizens, 65 years of age or older, individuals with a permanent disability, and individuals who qualify for the Tacoma Public Utility Bill Credit Assistance Program:
 
Effective prior to September 1, 2025
Effective September 1, 2025
Cat Altered
$5
$5
Cat Unaltered
$35
$100
Dog Altered
$10
$ 10
Dog Unaltered
$35
$100
Individuals with a permanent disability residing within the city limits of Tacoma qualify for the reduced fee specified in subsection B above, provided that the dogs and cats are not used for a commercial purpose. To qualify for this reduced fee, individuals with a permanent disability must provide proof of permanent disability to the Finance Department in the form of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Identification Card or documentation showing at least 30 percent permanent disability, a Washington Department of Licensing parking placard issued for permanent disability under RCW 46.19.010, or any other means that the Finance Department deems an appropriate proof of permanent disability.
C. 
License for Indoor Pig: $40.00
D. 
Temporary licenses. A one-time temporary license shall be issued for the altered fee for animals that will be altered prior to the animal reaching the age of six months. Upon proof of spay or neuter, the license shall become permanent for the remaining one-year license term as outlined in TMC § 17.05.025.
E. 
Dogs and cats are exempt from the licensing provisions of this section when they are in the custody of a recognized animal welfare organization. In order to qualify as a recognized organization, proof of charitable organization status must be submitted to the Finance Department of the City by the organization.
F. 
In order to receive the fee advantage for altered dogs and cats, an individual may be asked to provide either proof of alteration from a licensed veterinarian or a written statement from a licensed veterinarian that the spay/neuter procedure would be harmful to the animal.
G. 
An adult dog or cat is one that is more than 21 weeks old.
H. 
In addition to the infraction penalty set forth in Section 17.05.070, any person who fails to obtain a license 30 days after the license expiration date but before 60 days of the expiration date shall pay a penalty of $15 per license. Any person who fails to obtain a license after 60 days of the license expiration shall pay a penalty of $25 per license.
I. 
No late payment penalty shall be charged on new license applications if:
1. 
The owner submits proof of purchase or acquisition of the animal within the preceding 30 days;
2. 
The owner has moved into the City within the preceding 30 days;
3. 
The animal is currently or has been within the preceding 30 days under the age which requires a license;
4. 
The owner purchases the license(s) voluntarily, prior to in-person or field contact by animal control personnel; or
5. 
The owner submits other proof deemed acceptable to the animal control authority as defined in TMC Chapter 17.01 that the failure to file the license timely was due to a reasonable cause.
J. 
One replacement tag per license term will be given per animal at no fee, and each additional replacement tag shall be $10.00 each.
K. 
No person having a disability shall be required to pay any license fee for any animal specially trained and principally used for the purpose of assisting such person as defined in RCW 49.60.040. However, such person is required to keep his or her dog licensed and must comply with all other provisions of this title.
(Ord. 26949 § 6, 2002-07-16; Ord. 27202 § 1, 2004-02-17; Ord. 27210 § 1, 2004-03-23; Ord. 27447 § 18, 2005-12-13; Ord. 27558 § 15, 2006-12-05; Ord. 27672 Ex. A, 2007-12-11; Ord. 28395 Ex. A, 2016-11-22; Ord. 29040 Ex. A, 2025-06-10)
A. 
Whenever an unlicensed dog or cat is found within the City, it may be taken up and impounded and an infraction may be issued to the owner of such dog or cat or the person having the custody and control of such dog or cat. The owner is subject to boarding charges and time limits as set forth in Sections 17.01.080 and 17.01.100, in addition to all penalties set forth in this title.
B. 
Whenever the animal control authority determines that an animal is not altered, but has been licensed as an altered animal, the animal shall be taken up and impounded until the animal is properly licensed. The owner is subject to boarding charges and time limits as set forth in Sections 17.01.080 and 17.01.100, in addition to all penalties set forth in this title.
C. 
It is a violation to own an animal that is not licensed or which is improperly licensed. However, if the owner presents proof to the court that the animal has been spayed or neutered, the court shall consider this a mitigating factor in determining the whether to impose a penalty or the amount of any penalty that is imposed.
(Ord. 26949 § 6, 2002-07-16; Ord. 27447 § 19, 2005-12-13; Ord. 27672 Ex. A, 2007-12-11)
It is a violation for any person to give, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer a dog or cat license to another person, even if it is to be used for the same dog or cat for which it was originally issued. Provided, that when a properly licensed pet dies, the owner may use the deceased pet’s license to license a new pet of the same species, provided that the owner otherwise complies with the procedures for licensing a pet as provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 26949 § 6, 2002-07-16; Ord. 27672 Ex. A, 2007-12-11)
Any violation of this chapter is a violation and shall constitute a Class 1 infraction, not to exceed $250, not including statutory assessments.
Such penalty is in addition to any other remedies or penalties specifically provided by law. For each act herein prohibited of a continuing nature, each day shall be considered a separate offense.
(Ord. 26949 § 6, 2002-07-16; Ord. 27558 § 16, 2006-12-05; Ord. 28395 Ex. A, 2016-11-22)