Spokane Valley, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Spokane Valley does not maintain its own animal control ordinance for leashing; instead, under its animal regulations (Chapter 7.30 SVMC), the city adopts by reference Chapter 5.04 of the Spokane County Code ("Dogs and Cats"), and enforcement is provided by Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS). Under Spokane County Code 5.04.070 (Control of dogs), the owner or keeper of a dog is prohibited from allowing the dog to run at large in the county, whether licensed or not. The same provision states this does not prohibit a person from walking or exercising a dog in public when the dog is on a leash, tether or chain not exceeding eight feet in length. In other words, dogs must be physically controlled on an eight-foot-or-shorter leash whenever off the owner's property and not within a securely fenced area. Within Spokane Valley's public parks, the city's park rules also require pets to be on a leash and prohibit allowing pets to run at large except as expressly allowed in Chapter 5.04. Dogs declared dangerous are subject to stricter county requirements, including registration with Spokane County animal control and muzzling/restraint when outside a proper enclosure. We did not find an official source naming a dedicated off-leash dog park operated by the City of Spokane Valley, so owners should confirm any off-leash location before relying on it. Licensing is also required under the adopted county code.