Kennewick ESA and Psychiatric Service Dog Letters
Kennewick is the largest of the Tri-Cities, set along the Columbia in dry country with warm summers. If an animal helps you cope with anxiety, depression or another condition, a free screening shows whether a Washington-licensed clinician can write your letter.
Getting a Letter From Kennewick
Start with a few questions
The online screening covers your symptoms, your animal and your living situation, at no cost.
Meet a licensed clinician
A professional licensed in Washington reviews it and holds a telehealth visit when clinically indicated.
Get the signed letter
If approved, you choose a plan and the letter is emailed to you for your housing provider.
What We Provide in the Tri-Cities
ESA letter
For apartments and rentals where pets are limited or charged for.
Up to three animals
The multi-pet letter lists two or three dogs or cats.
PSD letter
For a dog trained to perform tasks for a psychiatric condition.
Bundles
Add a certificate or ID card for your records.
Kennewick Prices Side by Side
Bar heights compare the live price of each plan. Every figure comes from our checkout.
Can My Animal Ride Ben Franklin Transit?
Ben Franklin Transit runs the buses in Kennewick, Pasco and Richland. Enter your animal and its weight in the carrier to check the rider rule.
Your answer
Choose the animal type and weight, then select Check the Ride.
From Kennewick Man to Hanford
Remains found on the riverbank, known as Kennewick Man, show people lived here at least 9,000 years ago. Kennewick incorporated in 1904, and the city grew quickly in the 1940s as workers arrived for the Hanford Site. Today the economy also counts offices for Amazon and Lamb Weston.
- 83,921residents in the 2020 census
- Largestof the three Tri-Cities
- Toyota Centerhome of the Tri-City Americans
- Wine countryvineyards across the region
Riverfront Parks and Local Animal Rules
27 city parks
Columbia Park is the largest, a riverfront stretch with boat launches, and the Sacagawea Heritage Trail runs through town.
No city pet license
Kennewick does not license standard domestic animals. Tri-Cities Animal Services handles animal control.
Where We Help in Kennewick
- Historic downtown with its antique and clothing shops
- Clover Island with its hotel, lighthouse and brewery
- Vista, a former town now inside the city
- Around Columbia Park on the riverfront
- Near the Toyota Center and the old Vista Field
- The southern ridges toward the Horse Heaven Hills
Why It Matters That the Clinician Is Licensed Here
Landlords can check it
A Washington license shows up on the state's public lookup, so a manager can confirm it quickly.
Washington law applies
Support animals are protected in Washington rentals under the state's anti-discrimination law.
No pet deposit
A landlord may charge a standard deposit every tenant pays, but not a pet deposit or pet rent for an assistance animal.
Kennewick Questions to Swipe Through
Scroll sideways for all six answers.
Do I need a pet license in Kennewick?
No. The City of Kennewick has no licensing requirement for standard domestic animals, although it takes part in the Tri-City animal shelter program. Washington law still requires rabies vaccination.
Who handles animal control in Kennewick?
Tri-Cities Animal Services covers Kennewick, Pasco and Richland from its shelter at 1311 S 18th Ave in Pasco. The office number is 509-545-3740.
Can my ESA ride Ben Franklin Transit?
Yes, in a secured pet carrier, as long as the animal and carrier together weigh 25 pounds or less. Trained service animals are welcome on all BFT buses without a carrier.
Do Pasco and Kennewick follow different housing rules?
State housing law is the same in both cities. What differs is local detail, such as Pasco requiring dog licenses while Kennewick does not.
Can a Kennewick landlord enforce breed or weight limits on my support animal?
Breed and weight limits written for pets generally do not apply to an assistance animal. A landlord can still respond if a particular animal's behavior creates a real risk that cannot be corrected.
What if I have more than one support animal?
The multi-pet plan covers up to three emotional support dogs or cats in a single letter.
Tri-Cities and Beyond
General information for Kennewick residents, current as of September 2026, and not legal advice. Local animal rules come from the City of Kennewick and Tri-Cities Animal Services, and bus rules from Ben Franklin Transit; all can change. The ride checker is a guide only. Screening does not guarantee a letter. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Start a Kennewick Screening Today
It takes minutes and costs nothing to find out if a Washington-licensed clinician can support your animal.
