Animal Ordinances in Spokane Valley, WA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Spokane Valley, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Spokane Valley lets residential property owners keep chickens and other small livestock under SVMC § 19.65.020(A), subject to strict density and setback limits. Chickens are capped at one bird per 2,000 square feet of lot area, up to a maximum of 25, roosters are banned, and larger animals such as horses or cattle require at least a full gross acre and are limited to three head per acre.
Spokane Valley Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Municipal Code § 19.65.020(A)
Where permitted, the keeping of poultry and livestock, excluding swine and chickens, is subject to the following conditions: ... In residential zones, the lot shall equal or exceed one gross acre in area... The keeping of swine is prohibited. ... Not more than three horses, mules, donkeys, bovines, llamas, or alpacas shall be permitted per gross acre; or not more than six sheep or goats shall b...
Dog Leash Laws
In Spokane Valley's parks, trails, and open spaces, pets can only run off-leash where posted, and even then the leash itself is capped by ordinance. SVMC § 6.05.060(J)(2) requires that "when allowed, pets shall be kept on a leash no greater than 15 feet in length and shall be kept under control at all times."
Spokane Valley Park Leash Rule
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 6.05.060(J)
Pets. 1. All pets are prohibited in designated picnic areas, sport courts, or play areas in any City park or in any building unless permitted by posted notice. 2. When allowed, pets shall be kept on a leash no greater than 15 feet in length and shall be kept under control at all times. 3. Any person whose pet is in any open space, trail, or park area shall be responsible for the conduct of the ...
Breed Restrictions
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.
Spokane Valley Dangerous Dog Declaration
Significant RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 7.30.035(A),(D)
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 determinatio...
Beekeeping
Spokane Valley allows hobby beekeeping in its residential zones under SVMC § 19.65.020(A)(9), capped at one hive per 4,356 square feet of lot area. Hives must sit at least five feet from side and rear property lines and 20 feet from the front line, and beekeepers must maintain a six-foot flyaway barrier plus current certification from the Washington State Beekeepers Association.
Spokane Valley Hobby Beekeeping Standards
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Municipal Code § 19.65.020(A)(9)
In residential areas, hobby beekeeping is subject to the following conditions: The number of beehives shall be limited to one beehive per 4,356 gross square feet of lot area; Beehives shall be set back a minimum of five feet from a side or rear property line and 20 feet from the front property line; A flyaway barrier shall be provided that is at least six feet high and consists of a solid wall,...
Cat Rules
Cats in Spokane Valley must be licensed under the same rule the City borrows from Spokane County. SVMC § 7.30.010(B) adopts Section 5.04.030 of the Spokane County Code, "Cat License – Required," by reference, reading every mention of "Spokane County" in it as "Spokane Valley," so the licensing requirement applies citywide.
Spokane Valley Cat Licensing Adoption
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 7.30.010(B)
Pursuant to RCW 35A.11.020 and 35A.12.140, the City of Spokane Valley adopts by reference Section 5.04.030 of the Spokane County Code, entitled "Cat License – Required," as now in effect and subsequently amended. Any reference to "Spokane County" shall be construed to refer to Spokane Valley.
Microchipping
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.
Spokane Valley Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 7.30.045(A)(6)
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 comp...
Pet Groomer Rules
Spokane Valley's zoning code treats any facility that grooms, boards, or trains six or more dogs or cats as a 'kennel,' whether freestanding or attached to a veterinary clinic. Where kennels are allowed in commercial and mixed-use zones, SVMC § 19.65.020(D) bars outdoor runs, requires soundproofed animal enclosures under Chapter 173-60 WAC, and sets a parking ratio of one space per 10 confinement areas.
Pet Grooming Kennels in Spokane Valley
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 19.65.020(D)
D. Kennels, Doggie Day Care Facilities, and Kennels Associated with Veterinarian Clinics. Where permitted in commercial and mixed-use zones, these uses shall comply with the following conditions: 1. Not have outside runs or areas; 2. Provide adequate soundproofing for structures housing animals pursuant to Chapter 173-60 WAC; 3. Provide one parking space for every 10 animal confinement areas; a...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Spokane Valley allows animal clinics and veterinary offices as a supplemental use, but SVMC § 19.65.110(A) sets the conditions: in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zone a clinic may treat only small animals, cannot burn refuse or dead animals on site, must meet the state's commercial noise standard, and must keep every run area enclosed and supervised.
Spokane Valley Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsSVMC § 19.65.110(A)
A. Animal Clinic/Veterinary. 1. Animal clinics and veterinary clinics shall serve only small animals in the NC zone. 2. No burning of refuse or dead animals is allowed. 3. The applicant shall demonstrate compliance with noise standards for a commercial noise source as identified by WAC 173-60-040. 4. All run areas shall be enclosed and supervised.
Bird Protection
Spokane Valley makes it a misdemeanor to capture, tease, annoy, disturb, feed, or strike any bird or animal in a city park, or to throw an object at one. SVMC § 6.05.080(D) carries a criminal penalty of up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine, or both.
Spokane Valley Bans Harassing Park Wildlife
Heavy RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 6.05.080(D)
Violation of any of the following provisions shall be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine, or both: ... D. Damage to Wildlife. Except for fishing authorized by state law, it is unlawful in any park to capture, attempt to capture, tease, annoy, disturb, feed, or strike any bird or animal, or to throw or otherwise propel any object at or in the vicinity of any bird ...
Looking for Spokane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Spokane Valley city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Spokane County →