Kirkland has no breed-specific bans. Washington RCW 16.08.090 preempts breed bans statewide as of January 2020. Dangerous dog designations are behavior-based under RCW 16.08 and KMC 8.09.
Washington RCW 16.08.090, effective January 1, 2020, prohibits any city or county from enacting or enforcing a breed-specific ban or restriction on dog ownership. Kirkland, which had no prior breed ban, complies fully and regulates all dogs by behavior rather than breed. Dangerous and potentially dangerous dog designations are made under RCW 16.08.070 and mirrored in KMC 8.09. A dog found to have inflicted severe injury on a human without provocation, killed a domestic animal without provocation, or been previously found potentially dangerous and then aggressively attacked is classified dangerous. Owners of dangerous dogs must carry minimum 250,000 dollar liability insurance, secure the dog in a proper enclosure with locked gate and warning signs, microchip the dog, and may be ordered to muzzle the dog in public. Insurance carriers may still independently exclude specific breeds from homeowners policies; this is a private-market decision not governed by municipal law.
Violations of dangerous dog orders are Class C felonies under RCW 16.08.100 if a severe attack follows; routine leash or licensing violations are civil infractions under KMC 8.09.
Kirkland, WA
Leaf blowers and power equipment are restricted to 8 AM to 8 PM weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends and holidays under KMC 11.84A. Kirkland has not adopted...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland sits about 20 miles north of Sea-Tac and is lightly affected by commercial flights. Kenmore Air seaplanes and Renton Municipal general aviation caus...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban, but enforces the 72-hour rule, signed residential permit zones, and no-parking signs at parks, tra...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland driveways must remain paved, accessible, and used for vehicle parking per KMC Title 115 zoning code, which limits front-yard paving and requires app...
Kirkland, WA
EV charging in Kirkland follows the Washington State Energy Code, which requires EV-ready capacity in new multifamily and commercial parking and protects pub...
Kirkland, WA
Under KZC 115.40, Kirkland fences may be up to 6 feet except within 15 feet of a street curb. Properties on a neighborhood access or collector street are cap...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle breed restrictions.
See how Kirkland's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.