Spokane Valley, WA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

There is no list of restricted breeds in Spokane Valley's code. Section 7.30.035(A) instead gives the animal control director authority to make "a preliminary declaration that the dog is dangerous" once there is "sufficient information to determine that a dog is dangerous pursuant to Spokane County Code Section 5.04.020," a behavior-based standard applied dog by dog. The owner must be notified in writing, and under subsection (D), "any dog that is declared dangerous ... shall be immediately impounded" until the owner registers it. The owner "shall have 15 days from the date the dog was declared dangerous to register the dog or appeal the determination," and if neither happens, "the dog shall be euthanized at the direction of the animal control director or designee." 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.

A related, less severe track exists for "potentially dangerous" dogs under § 7.30.040, which can impose fencing, a dog run, indoor confinement, or microchipping without the impoundment risk. Registration of a declared dangerous dog under § 7.30.045 additionally requires a $250,000 surety bond or liability policy, an approved muzzle, spay/neuter, and a $100 annual fee renewed every 12 months.