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Spokane Valley, WA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

General pet microchip mandate
None for ordinary pets
Microchip required for
Declared dangerous dogs
Governing section
SVMC § 7.30.045(A)(6)
Also conditional option for
Potentially dangerous dogs, § 7.30.040(D)(3)
Annual registration fee
$100
Registration renewal
Every 12 months, reinspection required

Summary

Spokane Valley does not require microchips for ordinary pets, but a dog declared dangerous cannot be registered without one. SVMC § 7.30.045(A)(6) requires "a microchip implant injected for identification purposes pursuant to Spokane County Code Section 5.04.036" before the certificate of registration is issued.

The certificate of registration shall be issued only if the owner or keeper of the dangerous dog presents sufficient proof at the discretion of the animal control director of some or all of the following: ... A microchip implant injected for identification purposes pursuant to Spokane County Code Section 5.04.036; and ... The dangerous dog shall be spayed/neutered at the owner's expense to complete the registration.

Full Breakdown

The microchip requirement sits inside Spokane Valley's dangerous dog registration process, not as a general pet rule. 080, an animal-control-approved muzzle and leash, indoor confinement except on an approved leash, and spay or neuter of the dog at the owner's expense to complete registration. 045(B), the owner also pays a $100 annual registration fee on top of regular dog licensing fees, and the registration must be renewed every 12 months with a reinspection of the facility required before renewal. 036" as one of several conditions the animal control director can impose, alongside fencing, a dog run, or a leash requirement, without the registration fee or bond that dangerous dog status carries.

Violations & Fines

No dangerous dog may be returned to its owner "prior to the issuance of the certificate of registration" under § 7.30.045(A), so a missing microchip keeps the dog impounded. Once registered, "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).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Spokane Valley require microchips for all dogs and cats?
No, the reprinted City code has no general microchip mandate for ordinary pets. The requirement only appears in the dangerous dog registration process under SVMC § 7.30.045(A)(6).
When is a microchip required for my dog in Spokane Valley?
If your dog is declared dangerous, § 7.30.045(A)(6) requires "a microchip implant injected for identification purposes pursuant to Spokane County Code Section 5.04.036" as one of the proofs needed before Spokane County animal control will issue the certificate of registration.
Can a potentially dangerous dog also be required to get a microchip?
Yes. Section 7.30.040(D)(3) lists "microchip identification, pursuant to Spokane County Code Section 5.04.036" among the conditions the animal control director may impose on a dog determined to be potentially dangerous.
What else does dangerous dog registration require besides a microchip?
The same section requires a proper enclosure with warning signage, a $250,000 surety bond or liability policy, an approved muzzle and leash, spay/neuter at the owner's expense, and a $100 annual registration fee renewed every 12 months with a reinspection under § 7.30.045(B).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Spokane Valley

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