Renton, WA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

021(3), except for dogs used by law enforcement for police work. RMC 6-6-4(E) defines a Dangerous Dog by conduct, not breed: one that inflicts severe injury or death on a human without provocation, kills a domestic animal off the owner's property without provocation, has previously been found Potentially Dangerous and again bites or attacks after notice, or has been adjudicated dangerous in Renton or elsewhere. The declaration process in RMC 6-6-9 requires the Animal Control Officer or Police Chief to serve written notice of intent to declare the dog dangerous, after which the dog is quarantined up to 10 business days while the owner may submit written materials contesting the finding.

The Police Chief must decide within 10 calendar days of notice and issue a written final order within 7 more days; the owner can appeal to the Hearing Examiner within 15 days, but that appeal is limited to the administrative record. If the owner does not appeal, loses the appeal, or fails to relocate the dog outside the City, the dog is destroyed. A dog previously determined dangerous is subject to immediate confiscation and destruction after 72 hours. RMC 6-6-8(D) provides a defense: a dog cannot be declared dangerous if the injury occurred while the victim was trespassing, tormenting or abusing the dog, or committing a crime.