Cowlitz County, WA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed-based rules
- None; declarations are behavior-based (§ 6.13.030)
- Declaration authority
- Sheriff's Animal Control Authority, on probable cause
- Appeal window
- 10 days to request a hearing
- Liability coverage
- $500,000 minimum for declared dangerous animals
- Criminal penalty
- Gross misdemeanor, up to 364 days/$5,000 fine
Summary
Cowlitz County does not ban or restrict dog breeds. CCC Chapter 6.13 instead lets the Animal Control Authority declare an individual animal "potentially dangerous" or "dangerous" based on its own bite or attack history under § 6.13.030, regardless of breed, triggering registration, containment and identification requirements.
"Dangerous animal" means any animal that, when unprovoked: 1. Inflicts severe injury on a human being without provocation on public or private property; or 2. Kills a domestic animal or livestock, except nondomestic poultry or rabbit, without provocation while off the owner's property; or 3. Has been previously found to be potentially dangerous because of injury inflicted on a human, and the owner having received notice of such and the animal again aggressively bites, attacks or endangers the safety of humans. "Potentially dangerous animal" means any animal that, when unprovoked: 1. Inflicts bite(s) on a human, domestic animal, or livestock either on public or private property
Full Breakdown
13 CCC singles out any dog breed; both chapters regulate by an animal's individual conduct. 030 defines a "dangerous animal" as one that, unprovoked, inflicts severe injury on a human being, kills a domestic animal or livestock off the owner's property, or repeats aggressive behavior after a prior "potentially dangerous" finding, and defines "potentially dangerous animal" as one that, unprovoked, inflicts bites on a human, domestic animal or livestock, or chases or approaches a person in a menacing fashion. 040, the Animal Control Authority, the Cowlitz County Sheriff or a designee, may find and declare an animal potentially dangerous on probable cause, based on a citizen complaint, bite reports, an officer's own observations, or another jurisdiction's designation, and must serve the owner with a written declaration describing the animal, the facts relied on, restrictions imposed and the right to a hearing if requested within 10 days. 090. 100.
Violations & Fines
Violating the § 6.13.050 potentially dangerous animal restrictions or the § 6.13.100 dangerous-animal compliance requirements draws a civil penalty of $250.00 for a first offense, $500.00 for a second offense within 12 months, and $750.00 for a third, under § 6.13.100(D). Owning a dangerous animal without meeting the registration, enclosure and insurance requirements is also a gross misdemeanor under § 6.13.110, punishable by up to 364 days in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both, and the animal may be confiscated and, absent correction within 20 days, humanely destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cowlitz County ban pit bulls or other dog breeds?
How does the county declare an animal dangerous?
What must an owner do once their dog is declared dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cowlitz County
How Cowlitz County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Cowlitz County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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