Spokane's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Spokane, Washington, there are 16 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Wildlife Feeding

Spokane prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife that creates a nuisance or attracts predators under SMC 10.04. Feeding deer, raccoons, and coyotes is specifically discouraged; bird feeders and squirrel feeding are generally allowed.

Key details: Nuisance Feeding: Prohibited. Bird Feeders: Allowed, manage for bears. Agency: WDFW and city. High-Risk Areas: Palouse foothills, Dishman. Trash: Secure in bear zones.

Civil infraction under SMC with fines 100 to 500 dollars. WDFW can impose additional penalties if feeding leads to dangerous wildlife interactions.

Chickens & Livestock

Spokane permits up to 1 chicken per 2000 sq ft of lot area (typically 3-6 hens on standard lots) under SMC 17C.310. Roosters are prohibited. Coops must be set back from property lines.

Key details: Formula: 1 bird per 2000 sq ft. Roosters: Prohibited. Coop Setback: 10 ft property, 20 ft dwelling. Code: SMC 17C.310.100. Egg Sales: Cottage food RCW 69.22.

Exceeding allowed count or harboring a rooster is a zoning infraction; typical fines 100 to 500 dollars after notice.

Pet Limits

Spokane allows up to 3 dogs and 6 cats per household under SMC 10.04.020 without a kennel license. Additional animals require a hobby kennel or commercial kennel permit.

Key details: Dog Limit: 3 over 6 months. Cat Limit: 6 over 6 months. Hobby Kennel: Up to 10 dogs / 15 cats. Code: SMC 10.04.020. Agency: SpokAnimal.

Exceeding the pet limit without a kennel permit is a civil infraction, 100 to 500 dollars, plus possible requirement to rehome animals.

Cat Rules

Spokane requires cats over six months old to be licensed through SCRAPS and prohibits cats from running at-large in a manner that creates a nuisance under SMC Chapter 6.

Key details: Code: SMC Chapter 6. License age: 6 months and older. Enforcement: SCRAPS contract. Shelter: North Flora Rd, Spokane Valley.

Unlicensed cats and nuisance complaints can result in SCRAPS impound fees plus civil infractions starting around fifty dollars, escalating with repeat offenses or failure to reclaim.

Coyote Management

Coyote management in Spokane is led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife under RCW 77.36, with the City coordinating reporting and hazing education while prohibiting unauthorized firearm discharge in city limits.

Key details: Lead agency: WDFW. State law: RCW 77.36. City limit on guns: SMC Chapter 10. Recommended action: Hazing and attractant removal.

Discharging a firearm to take a coyote inside city limits without an exception can result in a gross misdemeanor under SMC and reckless endangerment charges if neighbors are at risk.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Spokane gives residents more flexibility on coyote management.

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and boarding kennels in Spokane are sited through SMC Title 17C land use standards, allowed in commercial and some mixed-use zones with conditions on overnight boarding and outdoor runs.

Key details: Land use code: SMC Title 17C. Boarding: Often conditional use. Noise standard: SMC 10.08D. Health overlay: SRHD waste guidance.

Operating outside the permitted zone can trigger Spokane Code Enforcement civil penalties, stop-work orders for build-out, and conditional-use revocation for noise or odor non-compliance.

Microchipping

Spokane does not mandate microchipping, but SCRAPS strongly encourages it and links chip numbers with the SCRAPS license database so that lost pets can be returned without an impound visit.

Key details: Mandate: Voluntary, not required. Database: SCRAPS plus chip registry. Field return: Chip plus license enables it. Clinics: SCRAPS, SpokAnimal partners.

No fine for an unchipped pet itself, but stale registry data can lead to standard SCRAPS impound and boarding fees if the animal cannot be identified.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Spokane gives residents more flexibility on microchipping.

Pet Store Rules

Spokane regulates commercial pet sales through SMC Chapter 6 dealer and kennel licensing administered by SCRAPS, with state Department of Agriculture rules layered on top for retail pet stores selling dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Key details: Local code: SMC Chapter 6. Permit type: SCRAPS commercial license. State overlay: WSDA pet dealer rules. Retail ban: None in Spokane.

Operating without a commercial license or failing inspection can produce SCRAPS civil infractions, license revocation, and animal seizure if conditions threaten animal welfare.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Spokane and SCRAPS use license fee discounts rather than mandatory spay-neuter to encourage altering, charging substantially lower annual rates for spayed or neutered dogs and cats compared to intact animals.

Key details: Mandate: No mandatory spay-neuter. Mechanism: Fee differential. Low-cost partners: SpokAnimal, Humane Society. Authority: SCRAPS contract.

There is no fine for keeping an intact pet, but unlicensed intact animals impounded by SCRAPS face higher reclaim fees plus the standard unlicensed-animal civil infraction.

The rules around mandatory spay/neuter in Spokane lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Animal Hoarding

Spokane addresses animal hoarding through SMC Chapter 6 cruelty and care provisions plus Washington State cruelty statutes, with SCRAPS officers authorized to investigate, seize animals, and refer cases for criminal charges.

Key details: Local code: SMC Chapter 6. State statute: RCW 16.52. Lead agency: SCRAPS. Top charge: Felony first-degree cruelty.

Convictions range from civil infractions to gross misdemeanors and felony first-degree animal cruelty under RCW 16.52.205, with fines, jail time, and permanent ownership bans possible.

This is one of the stricter rules in Spokane's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Bird Protection

Most wild birds in Spokane are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Washington state law RCW 77.15, with WDFW and federal authorities, not the City, leading enforcement against killing, harassment, or nest destruction.

Key details: Federal law: Migratory Bird Treaty Act. State statute: RCW 77.15.130. Lead agency: WDFW and USFWS. City role: Urban forestry coordination.

Disturbing nests or killing protected birds can result in WDFW gross misdemeanor charges, federal MBTA penalties, and fines reaching thousands per bird or nest destroyed.

This is one of the stricter rules in Spokane's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Wildlife Rescue Permits

Only WDFW-permitted rehabilitators may legally hold and treat injured wildlife in Spokane, and possession of native wildlife by unpermitted residents is prohibited under RCW 77.15 and Washington Administrative Code 220-450.

Key details: Permit authority: WDFW under WAC 220-450. Transfer window: Within 24 hours. Local raptor option: WSU Raptor Club. Local statute: RCW 77.15.250.

Unlawful possession of native wildlife is a misdemeanor under RCW 77.15.250, with fines, animal seizure, and potential federal charges if migratory birds are involved.

Dog Leash Laws

Spokane requires all dogs to be leashed in public under SMC 10.04.020. Designated off-leash areas include High Bridge Dog Park, SE Sports Complex, and portions of Downriver. SpokAnimal enforces violations.

Key details: Code: SMC 10.04.020. Max Leash: 8 feet. Off-Leash Parks: 4 designated. Agency: SpokAnimal C.A.R.E.. License: Required at 6 months.

First offense 54 dollar infraction. Second offense approximately 100 dollars. Impound fees 35 to 65 dollars plus boarding.

Exotic Pets

Spokane prohibits dangerous exotic animals under SMC 10.04 consistent with RCW 16.30. Large cats, bears, wolves, non-human primates, venomous reptiles, and crocodilians are banned. Common small exotics are allowed.

Key details: State Law: RCW 16.30. City Code: SMC 10.04. Banned: Big cats, primates, venomous reptiles. Allowed: Ferrets, hedgehogs, small reptiles. Penalty: Gross misdemeanor.

Possession of a prohibited animal is a gross misdemeanor, up to 364 days in jail and 5000 dollar fine per animal. Animals are typically seized.

This is one of the stricter rules in Spokane's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Breed Restrictions

Spokane has no breed-specific legislation (BSL). The city uses behavior-based dangerous dog designation under SMC 10.04.030, consistent with RCW 16.08. Pit bulls and other breeds are legal.

Key details: BSL: None. Code: SMC 10.04.030. State Law: RCW 16.08.070. Basis: Behavior, not breed. Insurance: 250k for dangerous dogs.

Failing to comply with dangerous dog conditions is a gross misdemeanor under state law, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a 5000 dollar fine.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Spokane gives residents more flexibility on breed restrictions.

Beekeeping

Spokane allows residential beekeeping under SMC 17C.310 with registration through the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Hives must be set back from property lines; up to 4 hives typical on standard residential lots.

Key details: Code: SMC 17C.310. Property Line: 5 ft setback. Dwelling Setback: 25 ft without flyway. State Registration: WSDA annual. Water: Required on-site.

Non-compliant hive placement is a civil zoning violation; typical corrective notice followed by fines of 100 to 500 dollars if not resolved.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Spokane gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 4 of the 16 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Spokane's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.