Puyallup, WA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Basis for declaration
- Behavior, not breed
- Potentially dangerous permit
- $250.00, $50.00 renewal
- Dangerous dog permit
- $500.00, $100.00 renewal
- Liability coverage, dangerous dog
- $500,000 minimum
- Appeal window
- 10 days of declaration
Summary
Puyallup has no breed ban: Chapter 8.18 declares individual dogs potentially dangerous or dangerous based on documented behavior, requiring a permit, a proper enclosure, and liability coverage up to $500,000 for a declared dangerous dog.
"Dangerous dog" means any dog that, when unprovoked: (a) inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being without provocation, or (b) inflicts severe injury on or kills an animal without provocation while the animal inflicting the injury is off the property where its owner resides, or (c) has been previously found to be potentially dangerous, the owner having received notice of such and the animal again aggressively bites, attacks or endangers the safety of humans or other animals. " ... Potentially dangerous dog" shall mean any dog that, when unprovoked: (a) inflicts bites on a human or a domestic animal either on public or private property, or (b) chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds or private property in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, or (c) any dog with a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked or to cause injury or otherwise to threaten the safety of humans or domestic animals on any public or private property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4985225; v6 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
Puyallup's municipal code does not target any dog breed by name. 010 defines 'dangerous dog' as one that, unprovoked, inflicts severe injury on or kills a human or another animal off its owner's property, or that reoffends after a prior potentially-dangerous finding. A 'potentially dangerous dog' is one that, unprovoked, bites a human or domestic animal, or chases or approaches someone in a menacing fashion, or has a known propensity to attack. 00). 00 renewal) for a dangerous dog, along with a proper enclosure, warning signage, and liability coverage of at least $50,000 for a potentially dangerous dog or $500,000 for a dangerous dog.
030 additionally requires the dog to be tattooed or microchipped for identification. A dog that kills a human without provocation must be forfeited and euthanized after appeals are exhausted.
Violations & Fines
Violating any restriction under Chapter 8.18, including failing to obtain the required permit, enclosure, signage or insurance, is a gross misdemeanor under PMC § 8.18.050, punishable by a fine of $250.00 to $5,000, up to one year in jail, or both, plus all shelter, veterinary and destruction costs the city incurs. An owner who fails to secure a permit within five days of impoundment risks the dog's destruction under PMC § 8.18.040(3).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Puyallup ban specific dog breeds like pit bulls?
What happens after my dog is declared potentially dangerous?
Can I bring a dog into Puyallup that another city already declared dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Puyallup
How Puyallup compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Puyallup to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle breed restrictions.