The City of Kennewick repealed its breed-specific legislation in November 2019, removing the automatic potentially-dangerous designation for pit bulls, Staffordshire terriers, and similar breeds. Dogs now qualify as dangerous or potentially dangerous only based on actual behavior under KMC 8.02. Washington State has no statewide BSL preemption.
Until November 2019, KMC 8.02.320 automatically classified any pit bull type dog as a potentially dangerous animal, requiring the owner to obtain a special permit, install a six-sided enclosure, post warning signs, secure a $250,000 surety bond or liability insurance, and notify neighbors with an opportunity to comment on confinement plans. The Kennewick City Council repealed that breed-specific provision and now requires a behavior-based determination. A dog is declared dangerous or potentially dangerous under KMC 8.02 only after a documented bite, attack, or aggressive incident, consistent with the framework in RCW 16.08 (Dogs). Washington State does not preempt breed-specific legislation, so cities retain the legal authority to enact BSL, but Kennewick has chosen not to. Private landlords, insurance carriers, and homeowner associations may still apply breed-based restrictions because they are not state actors. Owners moving from BSL jurisdictions should retain rabies and vaccination records for vet and rental purposes.
No breed-based enforcement in Kennewick. Owners of any breed may face KMC 8.02 dangerous-dog proceedings after an actual incident, with required muzzling, six-sided enclosure, warning signage, insurance, and registration. Failure to comply with a dangerous-dog order is a criminal offense under RCW 16.08 with possible seizure and humane euthanasia of the animal.
Kennewick, WA
Industrial-source noise crossing into Kennewick residential neighborhoods is capped by WAC 173-60-040 at 60 dBA during the day and 50 dBA between 10:00 p.m. ...
Kennewick, WA
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Kennewick, WA
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Kennewick, WA
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Kennewick, WA
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Kennewick, WA
Persistent or habitual barking, howling, or other animal noise that disturbs the peace is regulated as a public-disturbance noise nuisance under the Kennewic...
See how Kennewick's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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