Washoe County, NV Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Rather than banning breeds, Washoe County regulates individual dogs by behavior. WCC 55.750 lets any bite victim, an owner whose animal was attacked, a law enforcement officer, or an animal control officer file a complaint asking an administrative hearing officer to declare a dog "dangerous" or "vicious." A dog is dangerous if, without provocation and while off its owner's premises or unconfined, it behaved menacingly toward a person on two separate occasions within 18 months, seriously injured another animal, or bit a person twice in that period; a law enforcement agency can also declare a dog dangerous if it was used in a crime. A dog is vicious if it killed or caused substantial bodily harm to a person, or killed another animal while off its owner's premises, or continued dangerous behavior after already being so declared. Critically, WCC 55.750(4) bars a dangerous or vicious finding based solely on breed, on a defensive reaction to a crime or trespass, on a defense against provocation, on defending itself while leashed against an unrestrained attacker, or while working as an agricultural guardian animal.

Once declared, WCC 55.760 requires the owner to post a warning sign visible from every access point, confine the dog in an inspected enclosure or secured dwelling, microchip it, and spay or neuter it within 30 days, all within 30 days of the hearing officer's determination. A dangerous dog's owner must carry at least $150,000.00 in liability coverage or a surety bond per dog; a vicious dog's owner must carry at least $250,000.00. A vicious dog can never be transferred or given away, per WCC 55.760(6)(c), citing NRS 202.500(4), and any relocation of a dangerous or vicious dog within or out of the county requires 30 days' written notice to regional animal services.