10 Most Pet-Friendly Neighborhoods in Seattle, WA

Seattle is a scenic city surrounded by mountains and next to Puget Sound. It is known for its natural beauty, coffee, active lifestyle, and engaging events, but also for being a pet-friendly city. The number of trails, restaurants, activities, and more that welcome you and your furry friend provide endless opportunities and fun. Check out the most pet-friendly neighborhoods in Seattle and explore the highlights for pets and their owners!

The top 10 pet-friendly neighborhoods in Seattle are:

• South Lake Union
• First Hill
• Minor
• Lower Queen Anne
• Atlantic
• Fremont
• Capitol Hill
• Belltown
• Denny Triangle

South Lake Union

• Average rent: $2,683/month
• Top pet destination: Kenmore Air
• Popular dog park: Denny Park Off-Leash Area

South Lake Union has pet-friendly activities that you won’t find anywhere else. Show your pet a whole new world with an air tour of Seattle with Kenmore Air or boat around Union Lake with the Center for Wooden Boats. After an exciting adventure, refuel at the pet-friendly outdoor tables at the White Swan Public House and Hurry Curry of Tokyo.

Denny Park, the oldest park in Seattle, is the perfect place for everyday exercise. Walk on the well-kept paths under the shade of the trees or let your dog run free in the Denny Park Off-Leash Area.

First Hill

• Average rent: $2,214/month
• Top pet destination: McMenamins Six Arms
• Popular dog park: Dog Park at Plymouth Pillars Park

 First Hill provides Freeway Park and Plymouth Pillars Park, both located along I-5. Enjoy the weather with a stroll through Freeway Park or as your dog runs free at Plymouth Pillars Dog Park. Continue to take advantage of the sun by sitting at the dog-friendly outdoor tables at McMenamins Six Arms.

First Hill is home to major medical campuses and that trend continues for animals. Jet City Animal Clinic, BluePearl Pet Hospital, and Banfield Pet Hospital will take excellent care of your animals. After a vet visit, make sure to treat your pet at Woof Gang Bakery, Rex Seattle, or Mud Bay.

Minor

• Average rent: $1,922/month
• Top pet destination: Metier Brewing Company Taproom
• Popular dog park: Dog Park at Plymouth Pillars Park

Minor is a popular neighborhood because it contains Seattle University, but it is also a great place for pets and their owners. The campus is beautiful to explore with your dog, especially as the colors change during fall. In addition, there are a couple of small parks, like TT Minor City Park. For a large park, head north to Cal Anderson Park.

Jet City Animal Clinic is across the street from Seattle University for emergencies and general pet care. In terms of pet services, there are many that offer daycare, boarding, and grooming. Whether you’re at work, university, or on vacation, these businesses will pamper your pet.

Lower Queen Anne

• Average rent: $2,048
• Top pet destination: Elliott Bay Trail
• Popular dog park: Kinnear Park Off-Leash Area

In Lower Queen Anne, Seattle Center is not just a tourist attraction but also a huge space for walking your pet. Show your furry friend the landmarks of Seattle from the paved trails that fill the area. Since the 74-acre campus can get busy as a popular tourist destination, be prepared to brave the crowds or check out a local spot that is less packed.

SW Queen Anne Greenbelt and Kinnear Park will make you forget that you’re in a city as you and your pet wander through densely packed trees. Your dog will be tired after traversing the trails to the Kinnear Park Off-Leash Area and then running free.

For a change of pace, take the short trip to the Elliott Bay Trail that runs on the Puget Sound waterfront. Let the breeze off the water cool you and your pet as you walk on the paved, five-mile trail. You’ll pass landmarks and parks where you can stop and take in the views as your pet gets a drink.

Atlantic

• Average rent: $1,995/month
• Top pet destination: BoneYard
• Popular dog park: Blue Dog Pond

Judkins Park, Jimi Hendrix Park, and Sam Smith Park stretch along I-90 in Atlantic. This complex of green space consists of the parks, the trails that connect them, and Blue Dog Pond. Named after the blue dog statue that is next to the fence, Blue Dog Pond is a 1.7-acre area where dogs can be off-leash. They can run around the large clearing or dash ahead of you on the trail that winds through the fenced park.

Standing out among the restaurants is BoneYard for its ingenious combination of daycare, boarding, and bistro. The BoneYard’s Howlin’ Bistro welcomes dogs inside to play and hang out while you get a drink. Or you can leave your dog at the attached BoneYard Daycare & Boarding while you’re away. The indoor dog park that is part of the daycare and boarding facility is also open for play on weekends.

Fremont

• Average rent: $2,037/month
• Top pet destination: Fremont Sunday Street Market
• Popular dog park: Lower Woodland Dog Park Off-Leash Area

You’ll frequent Woodland Park when you live right below it in Fremont. Dogs are welcome on leashes on the heavily wooded trails through Woodland Park. In the middle of the woods is the Lower Woodland Dog Park Off-Leash Area. This sloped area provides an enriching experience for your dog with trees to run around and logs to jump over. You can let your dog play without worry as the space is completely fenced, shaded, and covered in gravel.

Downtown Fremont is a popular place not just for people but for pets too. At the Fremont Sunday Street Market, you’ll see just as many dogs as people filling the street. After filling your shopping bags, take a break at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area offering pet-friendly patios and outdoor seating. Be sure to drop off your shopping before heading to the portion of the Burke Gilman Trail that runs along the Fremont Cut.

Capitol Hill

• Average rent: $1,952/month
• Top pet destination: Cal Anderson Park
• Popular dog park: I-5 Colonnade Dog Park

Pets owners in Capitol Hill are served by Cal Anderson Park and Volunteer Park, to the south and north respectively. Having a park on each end makes it convenient for you and your pet to get outside, no matter where you’re located. Directly west of Volunteer Park is the I-5 Colonnade Dog Park. Being under the highway, the gravel park is protected from the rain and sun. For a change of scenery check out Washington Park Arboretum or Interlaken Park, both of which are a five-to-ten-minute drive away.

Pet-friendly restaurants are dotted throughout Capitol Hill. Check out the Hopvine Pub and Summit Public House for a hearty meal and beer. Manao Thai Streets Eats and Café Argento offer a lighter option if you don’t want to feel overly full. All these restaurants welcome dogs at their outdoor seating area.

Belltown

• Average rent: $2,464/month
• Top pet destination: The Seattle Barker’s Treat Shop
• Popular dog park: Denny Park Off-Leash Area

Belltown is one of the neighborhoods that make up the heart of Seattle. Views of Puget Sound are available from every corner of the neighborhood. The main draw of the neighborhood is the availability of pet-friendly restaurants and activities. From tours of Seattle to photoshoots at Pike Place Market or the Olympic Sculpture Park, you can make memories with your pet in Belltown. If your dog still has any energy left, they can run it off at Denny Park or Regrade Park Off-Leash Area.

You won’t be stuck taking your pooch to the same restaurant every time you go out as Belltown has numerous pet-friendly food spots. Enjoy a meal and waterfront views at Old Stove Brewing then pick up dessert at Shug’s Soda Fountain & Ice Cream. Your pet won’t feel left out as the Seattle Barker’s Treat Shop offers fresh-baked treats, chews, and more. You can even get a birthday cake for your dog!

University District

• Average rent: $1,769/month
• Top pet destination: Burke Gilman Trail
• Popular dog park: Warren G. Magnuson Park Off-Leash Area

University District is one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle for walking. Start at the University of Washington and stroll on paved trails through green lawns in front of Collegiate Gothic buildings. Follow the paths from campus to the Union Bay Natural Area right on the water. Or get a glimpse of it all on the Burke Gilman Trail that winds through the neighborhood.

In this close-knit community, it’s likely you’ll meet a familiar face as you and your dog walk past the local businesses on University Way Northeast (called “The Ave” by residents). Make pet-inclusive plans to eat at Cedars Restaurant or window shop at University Village.

Denny Triangle

• Average rent: $2,978/month
• Top pet destination: Barolo Ristorante
• Popular dog park: Denny Park Off-Leash Area

Denny Triangle is a smaller area but is within walking distance of Belltown, Downtown Seattle, and Pike Place Market. Extremely walkable, you and your pet will enjoy the well-maintained and spacious sidewalks and outdoor areas.

When you want a break from the city, reacquaint yourself with nature at Denny Park. You can breathe in fresh air and relax while your dog jumps and plays at the Denny Park Off-Leash Area. Treat your dog to the best of the best with fine dining on the patio of Barolo Ristorante. Then let them be pampered and showered in love at Citydog! Club.

Owning a Pet in Seattle

In Seattle, you must have a pet license and your pet is required to be vaccinated against rabies. As of January 1, 2025, Seattle no longer offers 2-year licenses, only 1-year licenses. Once you license your pet and get a tag, make sure you put the tag somewhere visible like on the collar.

Seattle does not require pets to be neutered/spayed but strongly encourages it. The licensing fee for an unaltered pet (unspayed/unneutered) is more than double the amount for a pet that is altered (spayed/neutered). You can get your pet spayed/neutered at your vet. Alternatively, the Seattle Animal Shelter offers a Spay and Neuter Clinic.

All dogs must be kept on leash except in designated areas for off-leash. You can find a list of off-leash areas on Seattle’s website. Dogs cannot enter any water including fountains, streams, public beaches, ponds, etc.

Pet allowance on transportation depends on the method you are using. The best way to see related policies and procedures is to check the official website. If you are taking the Seattle Center Monorail, your leashed dog can get on with you if they are well-behaved. For the King Country Metro, small dogs that can sit on your lap are free. If you have a large dog, you must pay their fare, and then they can sit on the floor next to you. Pets other than dogs must be in a carrier and service animals ride for free.

Finding Pet-Friendly Communities on Apartments.com

Once you’ve picked out a pet-friendly neighborhood in Seattle, it’s time to find an apartment community that will accept you and your pet. Use the pet policy filters on Apartments.com to make the search easy.

Start by selecting your location, then click on the “all filters” option in the top menu. In the menu that appears, scroll down to the “Pet Policy” section under “Specialty Housing.” Here, you can filter for dog-friendly, cat-friendly, or both, narrowing your search to the pets you have. Check out all the pet-friendly apartments in Seattle and see which ones fit you and your furry friend!