Spokane Valley, WA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed-specific ban
- None, based on individual behavior
- Declaration authority
- Animal control director/designee
- Registration/appeal deadline
- 15 days from declaration
- Appeal body
- City hearing examiner
- Failure to register/appeal
- Dog may be euthanized
- Violating imposed conditions
- Gross misdemeanor
- Annual registration fee
- $100 (§ 7.30.045(B))
Summary
Spokane Valley has no breed ban; instead SVMC § 7.30.035 lets the animal control director declare an individual dog "dangerous" based on its behavior, triggering mandatory registration, confinement rules, and a euthanasia risk if the owner misses a 15-day deadline to register or appeal.
When the animal control director or designee has sufficient information to determine that a dog is dangerous pursuant to Spokane County Code Section 5.04.020, the animal control director or designee shall make a preliminary declaration that the dog is dangerous. ... The owner or keeper shall have 15 days from the date the dog was declared dangerous to register the dog or appeal the determination pursuant to subsection F of this section. If the owner or keeper fails to register the dog or appeal the determination, the dog shall be euthanized at the direction of the animal control director or designee.
Full Breakdown
There is no list of restricted breeds in Spokane Valley's code. 020," a behavior-based standard applied dog by dog. shall be immediately impounded" until the owner registers it. " An owner who appeals gets a hearing before the City's own hearing examiner, not the County: subsection (E) requires the hearing within 20 days of the appeal notice, with the burden on the animal control director "to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the dog is a dangerous dog," and subsection (F) requires a written decision within 15 days of the hearing.
040, which can impose fencing, a dog run, indoor confinement, or microchipping without the impoundment risk. 045 additionally requires a $250,000 surety bond or liability policy, an approved muzzle, spay/neuter, and a $100 annual fee renewed every 12 months.
Violations & Fines
An owner who fails to register a declared dangerous dog or appeal within 15 days faces euthanasia of the animal at the animal control director's direction under § 7.30.035(D). Separately, "a dangerous dog's owner or keeper who violates any condition imposed under this section shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor" under § 7.30.035(G), and a potentially dangerous dog's owner who violates imposed conditions faces a misdemeanor under § 7.30.040(G).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Spokane Valley ban specific dog breeds?
How long do I have to appeal a dangerous dog declaration?
Who decides an appeal of a dangerous dog declaration?
What happens if I violate conditions imposed on a declared dangerous dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane Valley
How Spokane Valley compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Spokane Valley to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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