Spokane County, WA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Spokane County, WA, also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances, define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCC 5.04.070(7)
- Enforcing agency
- SCRAPS animal protection officers
- Violation type
- Civil infraction, strict liability
- Second offense (12 mo.)
- Base fine plus $25
- Response deadline
- 15 days to contest or pay
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Spokane County makes it unlawful for a dog owner to let their dog howl, whine, or bark so as to unreasonably disturb a person or group of people. SCRAPS, the regional animal protection agency, enforces the rule as a civil infraction with escalating fines for repeat offenses.
The following dog control regulations are police regulations designed to protect public health and safety. The owner or keeper of a dog is strictly liable to control his or her dog(s) as required herein... The owner or keeper of a dog or dogs shall prevent said dog(s) from: ...(7)Howling, yelling, whining or barking or making other oral noises that unreasonably disturb a person or group of persons;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
" Because the ordinance imposes strict liability on the owner or keeper, intent does not matter; the disturbance itself is the violation. 072 either on personal observation or after investigating a complaint with reasonable cause. 071, so it defaults to a civil infraction rather than a criminal charge. 2(b) for unscheduled infractions, and a second violation within twelve months adds twenty-five dollars on top of that base amount, plus any statutory court assessments. 131. 076), with further appeal to superior court. Note this chapter applies only outside the incorporated limits of Spokane, Spokane Valley, and the county's other cities and towns; the general county noise-disturbance ordinance at SCC Title 4 expressly excludes noises governed by this dog control chapter.
Violations & Fines
A first substantiated complaint draws a civil infraction with the fine set under IRLJ 6.2(b) for unscheduled infractions; a second complaint on the same dog within twelve months adds a $25 surcharge to that base fine, and the court may also impose statutory assessments. Unpaid penalties can be pursued as civil contempt under RCW 7.21. Repeated barking after the county has given official notice of a violation can additionally be prosecuted as a public nuisance under RCW 7.48 and 9.66, opening the door to abatement action beyond the infraction fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a barking dog a criminal charge in Spokane County?
Who do I call about a neighbor's barking dog in unincorporated Spokane County?
Can I contest a barking dog infraction?
Does this rule apply inside the City of Spokane or Spokane Valley?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
Compare Spokane County to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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