Washington state takes a notably different approach to dog breed regulation than many other states in the country. Rather than targeting specific breeds outright, state law focuses on individual dog behavior — a framework that offers meaningful protections for American Bully owners, but one that comes with important local-level exceptions you need to understand before assuming you’re in the clear.
If you own or plan to own an American Bully in Washington, the rules that apply to you depend heavily on where in the state you live. State law sets a protective baseline, but cities and counties can still impose their own breed-related requirements — and some do. This guide walks through every layer of the legal landscape so you know exactly where you stand.
Is the American Bully Recognized as a Separate Breed Under Washington Law?
Washington state law does not recognize dog breeds by name for the purposes of regulation or prohibition. The state’s dangerous dog statutes under Chapter 16.08 RCW are built around behavior, not breed classification — meaning the American Bully has no specific legal standing, positive or negative, under state code.
At the registry level, the American Bully (Canis lupus familiaris) is recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC), which granted official recognition in 2004, and by the United Kennel Club (UKC), which followed in 2013. The American Kennel Club does not recognize the breed, keeping American Bullies in specialized registries that focus on breed-specific standards rather than traditional conformation showing. This matters legally because breed identification disputes — common when animal control officers try to classify a dog — often hinge on which registry standard is used.
Because Washington law does not name the American Bully as a regulated breed, it cannot be declared dangerous or potentially dangerous based on its breed alone. Any enforcement action must be grounded in documented behavior. You can read more about how breed makeup affects legal classification in our article on what breeds make an American Bully.
Key Insight: Because the American Bully is not named in Washington statutes, local ordinances that target “pit bull-type” dogs may or may not capture your dog depending on how the ordinance defines its covered breeds. Always read the exact language of your city’s code.
Does Washington Have Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)?
Washington does not have a statewide breed ban. At the state level, there is no law prohibiting specific breeds from being kept. In fact, RCW 16.08.110 (signed into law in 2019) offers some protection against breed-specific legislation, stating that “a city or county may not prohibit the possession of a dog based upon its breed, impose requirements specific to possession of a dog based upon its breed, or declare a dog dangerous or potentially dangerous based on its breed” unless the city or county has established and maintains a reasonable process for exempting any dog from breed-based regulations.
Effective January 1, 2020, local breed-specific regulations are only enforceable if they include a “good behavior” exception for such dogs (see RCW 16.08.110). This was a significant shift in Washington’s legal landscape. Before this law took effect, cities could enforce outright breed bans with no path to exemption.
The good behavior exception allows owners to possess otherwise-prohibited dog breeds if the dog has passed the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Test (or a reasonably equivalent canine behavioral test). Dogs that pass this test are exempt from breed-based regulations for at least two years and must be given a reasonable chance to maintain the exemption through re-testing.
Washington’s approach aligns with a broader national trend. Due to opposition to such laws in the United States, anti-BSL laws have been passed in 21 of the 50 state-level governments, prohibiting or restricting the ability of jurisdictions within those states to enact or enforce breed-specific legislation. For a direct comparison with how a neighboring state handles similar issues, see our overview of American Bully laws in California.
Local and County-Level Bully Breed Restrictions in Washington
Even with the state’s protective framework, local ordinances remain a real concern. About 27 cities in Washington have breed-specific laws, including Yakima, SeaTac, Buckley, and Enumclaw. These ordinances predate or operate alongside RCW 16.08.110, though any that lack a good-behavior exemption process became unenforceable after January 1, 2020.
The following cities have ordinances that regulate specific types of dogs: Auburn declares fighting breeds “potentially dangerous,” including the Akita, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Kuvasz, Pit Bull Terrier, Presa Canario, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tosa Inu. Because the American Bully is closely related to several of these named breeds, Auburn’s ordinance may apply to your dog depending on how animal control interprets its physical characteristics.
Brewster, WA requires that all pit bulls pass a behavioral exam and that all pit bulls must be sterilized (spayed/neutered) within 10 days of entering the city. Other cities that restrict pit bulls include, but are not limited to, Bridgeport, Buckley, Coulee Dam, and Grandview.
Wapato bans pit bulls, American bulldogs, rottweilers, and all mastiff types, including English mastiff, Old English mastiff, American mastiff, Neapolitan mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, bull mastiff, Tibetan mastiff, Spanish mastiff, Pyrenean mastiff, and Fila Brasileiro. The breadth of Wapato’s ordinance means an American Bully with any mastiff-type physical traits could fall under its scope.
Important Note: Ordinance language changes frequently, and some cities listed in older databases may have updated or repealed their breed-specific rules since RCW 16.08.110 took effect. Contact your city’s animal control office directly to confirm the current status of any local ordinance before assuming it applies — or doesn’t apply — to your dog.
You may also find it useful to review our guide to pit bull laws in Washington, since many local ordinances that affect American Bullies were originally written with pit bull-type dogs in mind.
Insurance, Housing, and Landlord Restrictions on Bully Breeds in Washington
Washington’s state law protects you from government breed bans, but it does not regulate what private landlords or insurance companies can do. These are two separate legal domains, and both can create significant obstacles for American Bully owners.
Landlords enforce pet policies to manage property maintenance, tenant safety, and liability risks. While some apartments welcome pets, others impose size, weight, or breed restrictions due to insurance concerns or local ordinances. In cities like Seattle, Kirkland, and Issaquah, rental listings often specify breed restrictions, with pit bulls, rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers commonly prohibited due to insurance policies.
Apartment breed restrictions are clauses in rental agreements that ban specific dog breeds believed to be “high-risk” or aggressive. These lists typically target pit bulls, rottweilers, German shepherds, and Dobermans. These bans are rarely based on the individual dog’s behavior; instead, they are dictated by the landlord’s liability insurance provider, which may refuse coverage or hike premiums for properties housing these specific breeds.
On the homeowner’s and renter’s insurance side, the challenge is real but not insurmountable. Insurance providers may refuse to provide coverage to individuals who own specific breeds of dogs. When obtaining homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance, you will be asked about what kind of dogs you own, and many companies will refuse to provide coverage. Shopping with carriers that do not use breed-based underwriting criteria is your best path forward. Taking your dog to a Canine Good Citizen program and showing your insurance broker the certificate can improve your options with some carriers.
For broader context on how dog ownership intersects with liability in Washington, our article on dog bite laws in Washington covers how the state handles injury claims involving dogs.
“Dangerous Dog” Classification and What It Means in Washington
Washington’s dangerous dog framework is behavior-based, not breed-based, and it draws a clear legal line between two separate classifications. Understanding both matters if you own an American Bully.
Under RCW 16.08.070, dogs are only considered potentially dangerous if they threaten people or animals unprovoked, and only dangerous if they have injured or killed an animal or person. The state law does not expressly define any breed as dangerous. This means your American Bully cannot be pre-classified as dangerous simply because of how it looks or what breed it is.
Once a dog is formally classified as dangerous, the requirements become substantial. The owner of a dangerous dog must register the dog and meet several requirements, including a proper enclosure, a surety bond of at least $250,000 payable to any person injured by the dog, and liability insurance of at least $250,000. Dangerous dogs cannot be taken outside of the dog’s enclosure unless the dog is muzzled and restrained.
Washington state law defines and distinguishes between “dangerous dogs,” regulated under Chapter 16.08 RCW, and “potentially dangerous dogs,” which are regulated by locally adopted ordinances. A “potentially dangerous” designation is typically handled at the city or county level and may carry its own set of requirements — registration, confinement rules, or mandatory behavioral assessments — that vary by jurisdiction.
It is also worth noting that Washington does have a provision stating that the state may not meet its burden of proof that the owner should have known the dog was potentially dangerous solely by showing the dog to be a particular breed or breeds. This is a meaningful protection: breed identity alone cannot be used as the sole evidence that you knew your dog posed a risk.
To understand how Washington handles situations where a dog causes injury, our guide to dog bite laws in Washington provides a detailed breakdown of owner liability standards.
Requirements for Owning a Bully Breed Under Local Ordinances in Washington
If your city has a breed-specific ordinance that covers American Bullies or pit bull-type dogs, you will likely face a specific set of ownership requirements. These vary by municipality, but several common conditions appear across Washington cities with active ordinances.
- Behavioral testing: Effective January 1, 2020, local breed-specific regulations are only enforceable if they include a good-behavior exception. The good behavior exception allows owners to possess otherwise-prohibited dog breeds if the dog has passed the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Test or a reasonably equivalent canine behavioral test.
- Spay/neuter requirements: Some cities still maintain pit bull regulations that require you to follow specific rules, which often include mandatory spaying or neutering of your dog.
- Potentially dangerous designation: Your city may also classify pit bulls as “potentially dangerous” or “dangerous” dogs by default.
- Muzzling and restraint in public: These restrictions may include muzzling the dog in public, using a leash of a specific length, having insurance, placing “vicious dog” signs outside your home, or keeping your dog in a kennel with specific requirements.
- Enclosure standards: For dogs formally classified as dangerous under state law, a proper secure enclosure is mandatory under RCW 16.08.
Licensing and leash compliance are baseline requirements that apply statewide regardless of breed. Our guide to leash laws in Washington covers what the state and local governments require when you take your dog outside. You should also review kennel zoning laws in Washington if you house multiple dogs or operate a breeding program, as zoning rules can interact with breed-specific ordinances.
Pro Tip: Earning your dog’s AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate is one of the most practical steps you can take as an American Bully owner in Washington. It satisfies the state-mandated good-behavior exemption, can help with landlord negotiations, and may reduce your liability insurance premiums.
What to Do If Your Bully Breed Is Targeted Under a Local Ordinance in Washington
If animal control contacts you about your American Bully, or if your city moves to classify or seize your dog under a breed-specific ordinance, you have legal options. Acting quickly and methodically gives you the best chance of a favorable outcome.
1. Request the specific ordinance language in writing. Ask animal control or your city clerk for the exact text of the ordinance being applied. Many older ordinances lack the good-behavior exemption required by RCW 16.08.110, which means they are not currently enforceable. If the ordinance does not include an exemption process, you have grounds to challenge enforcement.
2. Invoke the good-behavior exemption immediately. While breed bans are still allowed under Washington law, local jurisdictions must require exceptions for owners who can prove their dogs are well-behaved. Owners can get around such bans — which usually target muscular breeds such as pit bulls and Rottweilers — by completing the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program or another equivalent test. If your dog has already passed the CGC test, present that certificate to animal control as soon as possible.
3. Document your dog’s history and temperament. Gather veterinary records, training certificates, character references from neighbors or trainers, and any other documentation that speaks to your dog’s behavior. Even in jurisdictions allowing breed restrictions, tenants and owners may be able to work with authorities by presenting evidence of the dog’s training and good behavior, obtaining veterinary references supporting the dog’s temperament, and providing community references from neighbors and trainers.
4. Consult an animal law attorney. Washington has attorneys who specialize in animal law. There are lawyers that now specialize in animal law or even law relating specifically to dogs, and they can help with everything from housing disputes to recovering expenses if someone harms your dog. If your dog faces seizure or a dangerous dog declaration, legal representation is worth pursuing promptly.
5. Contact a breed advocacy organization. Groups that track BSL nationally, such as the BSL Census, maintain records of Washington ordinances and can help you verify whether the rules being applied to your dog are current and enforceable.
For context on how Washington handles animal-related enforcement more broadly, our articles on animal cruelty laws in Washington and dog chaining laws in Washington outline the state’s general approach to animal welfare enforcement. If you are comparing Washington’s framework with other states, our guides to American Bully laws in Texas and American Bully laws in Michigan provide useful points of reference.
Important Note: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Ordinances change, and enforcement practices vary by jurisdiction. If your dog is facing a dangerous dog classification or seizure, consult a licensed Washington attorney who handles animal law matters.
Washington’s legal framework gives American Bully owners a stronger foundation than exists in many states. The combination of RCW 16.08.110’s good-behavior exemption requirement and the state’s behavior-based dangerous dog standard means breed alone cannot be used to take action against your dog at the state level. The practical work for you as an owner is staying informed about your specific city’s ordinances, keeping your dog’s behavioral credentials current, and understanding your rights if local enforcement ever comes knocking.