Spokane Valley, WA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Spokane Valley does not run its own animal control program. Under its animal regulations (Chapter 7.30 SVMC), the city adopts Chapter 5.04 of the Spokane County Code ("Dogs and Cats") by reference, and animal noise complaints are handled by Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS). The county's noisy-animal standard prohibits any person from allowing an animal to unreasonably disturb persons by habitually barking, howling, yelping, whining or making other oral noises. Unlike a clock-based quiet-hours rule, this provision can apply at any hour of the day or night when the barking is unreasonable and habitual, so a dog barking continuously in the middle of the afternoon can still be a violation. SCRAPS typically begins with education and warnings before issuing citations, and complaints are made directly to SCRAPS rather than to city code enforcement. Note that the city's own noise nuisance section (SVMC 7.05.040(K)) governs mechanical and amplified sound rather than animals, so barking-dog issues are routed through the adopted county animal code. Residents report a barking dog by calling SCRAPS at 509-477-2532. Owners of animals declared dangerous or potentially dangerous face additional restraint and registration requirements under the county code that the city has adopted.