Local rules
What professional dog walkers in Seattle are expected to know — in plain language, with the actual citations.Verified by the Top Dog SF team · September 2026
Seattle defines a dog as 'at large' when it is off the owner's premises and not under control by a leash EIGHT FEET OR SHORTER. Eight, not six — Seattle is one of the more generous cities on length, which trips up walkers moving from six-foot jurisdictions in the other direction. Voice command alone never satisfies it outside a designated off-leash area.
SMC 9.25.020(E); parks: SMC 18.12.080 · official source
Every Seattle dog should have a current Seattle pet licence and up-to-date rabies vaccination. Ask to see proof before the first walk and keep a note of the licence number in your records — if a dog isn't licensed or vaccinated, raise it with the owner before you keep taking the job.
SMC 9.25.050, 9.25.051
The full pack — plus state and U.S.-wide baselines and an assessment localized to Seattle — is included with the Certified Professional Dog Walker.
Get certified — with Seattle rules included →This is educational guidance for dog-care professionals, not legal advice. Rules change — always confirm with the official source before relying on a rule.