Bothell, WA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

BMC 6.04.020 defines a potentially dangerous dog by what it does when unprovoked: inflicting bites on a human or domestic animal, chasing or approaching a person on streets, sidewalks or public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, or having a known propensity to attack unprovoked or threaten the safety of humans or domestic animals. A dangerous dog is one that inflicted severe injury on a human without provocation, killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner's property, or again bites or attacks after a prior potentially dangerous finding. No breed is named in either definition.

Under BMC 6.14.010(A), the animal control authority needs probable cause, drawn from any amount or combination of four kinds of evidence: a person's declaration, animal bite reports, actions witnessed by an animal control employee or law enforcement officer, or other substantial evidence such as photographs of injuries or medical reports. The written declaration is served by certified mail and/or personal service and must describe the dog, summarize the facts, state the code basis and explain how to appeal. Appeals go to the city hearing examiner under Chapter 6.24 BMC, within 14 days of service (BMC 6.24.160). A dog is not declared potentially dangerous if the injured person was committing a willful trespass or other tort on the owner's premises, or was tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog.

Restraint is strict. An owner cannot allow a potentially dangerous dog to run free or off leash unless it is in a fenced yard or similar restraint, and a dog under voice or signal control alone counts as physically unrestrained. The fence top must be at least six feet high unless the area has a secured top. To license and keep the dog in the city, the owner must show a surety bond or liability policy of at least $50,000 (BMC 6.14.010(G)). After 24 months without violations the owner can ask the Bothell police department for review, with an answer due within 30 days (BMC 6.14.020).

Dangerous dog determinations adopt RCW 16.08.080 and 16.08.090 by reference and add a registration fee, annual renewal, and a $500,000 coverage requirement under BMC 6.14.030.