Santa Clara County Dog Leash Laws

• Campbell
• Cupertino
• Gilroy
• Los Altos
• Los Altos Hills
• Los Gatos
• Milpitas
• Monte Sereno
• Morgan Hill
• Mountain View
• Mountain View
• San José
• Santa Clara
• Saratoga
• Sunnyvale

Santa Clara County Dog Leash Laws

Governing the following communities:

Unincorporated communities in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara

Santa Clara County Dog Leash Laws Text:

Chapter 6.30.010 Restraint of dogs.

The owner of any dog shall keep and maintain such dog under their own physical restraint by use of a leash not to exceed six feet in length, or shall keep such dog sufficiently confined behind a fence of reasonable height. This section shall not apply to the following:

(a) Guide dogs for the blind or deaf while performing their duties or service dogs in formal training programs;

(b) Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;

(c) Dogs assisting their owner/handler in legal hunting or in the herding of livestock;

(d) Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities;

(e) Dogs being trained for any of the above purposes on private land with permission of the landowner, so long as such dogs are under direct control of such individuals to assure that they do not violate any other provision of law.

(Ord. 1879 § 1, 3-29-11).

Campbell Leash Laws

Campbell Leash Law Text:

Title 7, Chapter 7.30.010 – Restraint of dogs.

The owner of any dog shall keep and maintain such dog under their own physical restraint by use of a leash not to exceed six feet in length, or shall keep such dog sufficiently confined behind a fence of reasonable height. This section shall not apply to the following:

(a) Guide dogs for the blind or deaf while performing their duties;

(b) Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;

(c) Dogs assisting their owner/handler in legal hunting or in the herding of livestock;

(d) Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities;

(e) Dogs within an off-leash area designated by the City;

(f) Dogs being trained for any of the above purposes on private land with permission of the landowner, so long as such dogs are under direct control of such individuals to assure that they do not violate any other provision of law.

(Ord. No. 2179, § 3(Exh. B), 6-2-2014)

Cupertino Dog Leash Law

Cupertino Dog Leash Law Text:

Chapter 8, Section 8.03.010 Restraint of Dogs

The owner or person with the right to control any dog shall keep such dog under his or her own physical restraint by means of a leash or shall keep such dog confined behind a fence not less than six feet high except for any of the following:

A. Guide dogs for the blind or deaf while performing their duties;

B. Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or conformation exhibitions;

C. Dogs assisting their owner/handler in legal hunting activities or in the herding of livestock;

D. Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities;

E. Dogs assisting in search and rescue activities;

F. Dogs participating in City- authorized events or programs; and

G. Dogs being trained for any of the above described purposes on private property with the permission of the landowner, so long as these dogs are under the direct control of the trainer/handler. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an infraction and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in Chapter 1.12.

(Ord. 13-2105, § 1, 2013; Ord. 09-2041, 2009; Ord. 1886, (part), 2001; Ord. 1644, § 2 (part), 1994)

Gilroy Dog Leash Law

Gilroy Dog Leash Law Text:

ARTICLE IV. Section 4.26 Dogs; restraint required; exceptions.(a) An owner or person with custody over or the right to the control of any dog or dogs shall keep such dog or dogs confined to said person’s own premises within such enclosures as may be reasonably appropriate to restrain the dog from running at large. No dog shall be allowed to walk the public streets without being restrained by means of a leash capable of restraining at least four (4) times the weight of such dog, except:

(1) Assistance dogs while performing their duties;

(2) Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;

(3) Dogs assisting their owner or handler in lawful hunting or herding of livestock;

(4) Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities;

(5) Dogs being trained for any of the purposes set forth in this section on private land with permission of the land owner, so long as such dogs are under direct control of such individuals to assure that they do not violate any other provision of law.

(b) In addition to any other remedies provided by this Code, any enforcement officer, at his or her discretion, may issue an administrative citation pursuant to Chapter 6A. The administrative penalties for violation of this section shall be as set forth in the schedule of penalties as established by resolution of the city council. (Ord. No. 95-9, §§ 2, 3, 5-1-95; Ord. No. 2007-21, § II, 12-3-07)

Los Altos Animals Running at Large Law

Los Altos Animals Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 5.08, Section 5.08.010 – Animals running at large and creating nuisances.

A.

1. Except as provided below in A.2., no person owning or having the control of any animal shall permit such animal to stray or run at large upon any public street or other public place or upon any private place or property or common area of any planned unit development, cluster, townhouse, or condominium project without the consent of the owner or person in control thereof.

2. Off-leash fenced-in dog parks in certain designated locations within the city may be established after all of the following findings have been made:

a. After a duly noticed public meeting the city council has established the designated park location; and

b. The designated off-leash fenced-in parks shall be posted with sufficient signage to provide notice to the public of the areas where the dogs may be off-leash; and

c. The designated off-leash fenced-in dog parks shall be subject to the rules and regulations set forth in Section 5.08.110 of this chapter.

B. No person owning or having the control of any animal shall permit such animal to do any of the following:

1. Defecate or urinate on private properties in the neighborhood or community (other than that of the owner or the person having the control of the animal);

2. Defecate or urinate on public property without immediately cleaning or removing the excrement to a proper receptacle;

3. Permit the animal to obstruct the reasonable and comfortable use of property in any neighborhood or community by chasing vehicles, molesting passersby, barking, howling, baying, or making any other noise;

4. Permit unsanitary conditions to exist on the premises where such animal is kept which would cause odor, attract flies or vermin, or otherwise be injurious to the public health and safety, or indecent, or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by the neighborhood, community, or persons; or

5. Suffer, permit or allow any dog to commit any act described in Section 5.08.060 of this chapter.

C. The animal control officer may seize and impound any animal causing a public nuisance.

D. A violation of this section is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

E. Any private person may maintain an action under Section 3493 of the Civil Code of the state for the enforcement of this section declaring certain acts a public nuisance if such acts are specially injurious to such person.

F. The owner or person having the control of any dog shall keep such dog confined to his or her own premises or shall keep such dog under physical restraint by means of a leash not to exceed six feet in length, except:

1. Guide dogs for the blind or deaf while performing their duties;

2. Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;

3. Dogs assisting their owner or handler in legal hunting or in the herding of livestock;

4. Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities; and

5. Dogs being trained for any of the purposes set forth in this subsection on private land with permission of the landowner, so long as such dogs are under the direct control of such individuals to assure that they do not violate any other provision of law.

(Prior code § 5-1.106)

(Ord. No. 2022-484, § 2, 2-22-2022)

Los Altos Hills Dog Leash Law

Los Altos Hills Dog Leash Law Text:

Title 6, § 6-1.409 Leash required. No person owning or harboring any dog shall allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or not, to be upon a public street, sidewalk, park, school ground, public place or upon any unenclosed lot or land except when held under leash by an able-bodied person.

(§ 1, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994)

Los Gatos Animals Running at Large Laws

Los Gatos Animals Running at Large Text:

Article I, Sec. 4.10.020. – Animals running at large. No person owning or having control of any animal shall permit such animal to stray or run at large upon any public street or other public place, or upon any private place or property or common area of any planned development, cluster, townhouse or condominium project, without the consent of the owner or person in control thereof.

(Ord. No. 1971, § II, 2-22-94; Ord. No. 2276, § 1, 9-18-18)

Sec. 4.40.005. – Restraint of dogs.

(a) The owner or person with the right to control any dog shall keep such dog under the owner’s own physical restraint by means of a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length, or shall keep such dog confined behind a fence not less than six (6) feet high. This section shall not apply to the following:

(1) Guide dogs for the blind or deaf while performing their duties;

(2) Dogs participating in field or obedience trails or exhibitions as permitted by the Town;

(3) Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities;

(4) Dogs assisting their owner/handler in legal hunting or in the herding of livestock;

(5) Dogs within an off-leash area designated by the Town;

(6) Dogs being trained for any of the above purposes on private land with permission of the landowner, so long as such dogs are under direct control of such individuals to assure that they do not violate any other provision of law.

Milpitas Dog Leash Law

Milpitas Dog Leash Law Text:

Section 4, V-210-4.05 – Dogs Shall be Leashed

No person owning or having control of any animal shall permit unsanitary conditions to exist on the premises where said animal is kept which would cause odors, attract flies or vermin, or otherwise be injurious to public health and safety, or is offensive to the senses, or is an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by others.

(Ord. 54.20 (part), 7/18/95)

Monte Sereno Dog Leash Law

Monte Sereno Dog Leash Law Text:

Title 6, Chapter 6.03.010 – Restraint of dogs.

The owner or person with the right to control any dog shall keep such dog under his or her own physical restraint by means of a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length, or shall keep such dog confined behind a fence not less than six (6) feet high.

A. In addition to subsection (A) above, a sign advising of the presence of a potentially dangerous dog shall be posted at the entrance to every place wherein any such dog is confined. The sign shall be capable of being understood by a child with normal reading skills of a second grader.

B. Notwithstanding subsections (A) and (B) above, the owner or person with the right to control a dangerous dog shall:

1. Keep the dog under his or her own physical restraint by means of both a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length and a muzzling device;

2. Maintain for the dog an enclosed and locked pen or kennel having secured sides and a secured top attached to the sides, and having a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides, or with sides embedded not less than two (2) feet into the ground, behind a fence not less than six (6) feet high;

3. Ensure that when the dog is in a house, apartment, building or similar structure, that the windows and doors of same are secured to prevent the dog from exiting without the assistance of the owner or person with the right to control such dog;

4. Post a sign advising of the presence of a dangerous dog at the entrance to every place wherein any such dog is confined. The sign shall be capable of being understood by a child with normal reading skills of a second grader; and

5. It is understood that the provision of subsection (C) (2), above, shall not apply to the owner or person with the right to control a dangerous dog living in an apartment or condominium.

Morgan Hill Dog Restraint Law

Morgan Hill Dog Leash Law Text:

Title 6, Chapter 6.12.020 – Dogs—Restraint required—Exceptions.The owner or person with the right to the control of any dog or dogs shall keep such dog or dogs confined to said person’s own premises within such enclosures as may be appropriate or dogs may be restrained by means of a leash sufficient to keep the dog upon the premises, such leash to be capable of restraining at least four times the weight of such dog except:

A. Guide dogs for the blind or deaf while performing their duties;

B. Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;

C. Dogs assisting their owner or handler in legal hunting or in the herding of livestock;

D. Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities;

E. Dogs being trained for any of the purposes set forth in this section on private land with permission of the land owner, so long as such dogs are under direct control of such individuals to assure that they do not violate any other provision or law;

F. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the keeping of potentially dangerous dogs shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 6.28.

(Amended during 10/08 supplement; Ord. 1209 N.S. (part), 1995: Ord. 822 N.S. § 6, 1987: Ord. 553 N.S. § A (part), 1981)

Mountain View Restraint of Dogs Law

Mountain View Dog Leash Law Text:

Article V, SEC. 5.50. – Restraint of dogs.

The owner of any dog shall keep and maintain such dog under their own physical restraint by use of a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length, or shall keep such dog sufficiently confined behind a fence of reasonable height. This section shall not apply to the following:

(a) Service animals while performing their duties;

(b) Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;

(c) Dogs assisting their owner/handler in legal hunting or in the herding of livestock;

(d) Dogs assisting a private patrol operator properly registered in accordance with MVCC Sec. 20.2 and as amended, or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities;

(e) Dogs being trained for any of the above purposes on private land with permission of the landowner, so long as such dogs are under direct control of such individuals to assure they do not violate any other provision of law.

(Ord. No. 4.14, § 1, 4/8/14.)

Palo Alto Dog Leash Law

Palo Alto Dog Leash Law Text

Title 6, Chapter 6.16.100 Leash required.*

No person owning or harboring any dog shall allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or not, to be upon a public street, sidewalk, park, school ground, public place or upon any unenclosed lot or land except when held under leash by an able-bodied person. Violation of this section shall be an infraction.

(Ord. 4453 § 34, 1997: Ord. 2395 § 1 (part), 1967)

* Editor’s Note: This section was originally adopted by Initiative Ordinance No. 1616, May 10, 1955.

San Jose Dog Restrain Laws

San Jose Animals Running at Large Law Text:

Title 7, Chapter 7.40.030 – Animals running at large.

It is unlawful for the animal owner/guardian or person with a right to control any animal to permit the animal to stray or run at large upon any public street or other public place, or upon any private place or property or common area of any planned development, cluster, townhouse, or condominium project without the consent of the owner or person in control thereof.

(Ord. 28079.)

Title 7, Chapter 7.40.040 – Restraint of dogs.

A. The dog owner/guardian or person with a right to control a dog must keep the dog confined to his or her premises or keep the dog confined behind a fence of sufficient height and construction to safely contain the dog.

B. The dog owner/guardian or person with a right to control a dog must keep the dog under direct physical restraint by means of a leash not to exceed six feet in length when the dog is on any public street, public sidewalk, other public place, event on public property, or at any private place or property or common area of any planned development cluster, townhouse, or on any condominium project without the consent of the owner or person in control thereof. An exception for a leash of up to twenty feet in length may be used when in a public park or public open space if the owner/guardian or person with a right to control the dog can exercise direct physical restraint of the dog such that the dog would be unable to make physical contact with another person or with an animal without the consent of that person or the consent of the owner/guardian or person with the right to control the other animal. This exception does not apply to a dog on a public trail. A dog on a public trail must be maintained on a leash not to exceed six feet; and both the owner/guardian and his or her dog must keep to the right of the trail centerline to the extent the centerline is marked.

Saratoga Animals Running at Large Law

Saratoga Animals Running at Large Law Text:

Article 7, Section 7-20.040 – Animals running at large.

a) No person in the City owning or having control or custody of any dog or any other animal shall cause, permit or allow the same to be at large or to stray or wander into any school yard, school building, public park, public highway or street or upon any private place or property without the consent of the owner or person in control thereof.

(b) No dog shall be permitted or allowed in any residential or commercial zoning district in the City, except:

(1) Within the confines of a building or structure; or

(2) Within the confines of a fenced enclosure at least five feet in height which, in the opinion of an Animal Control Officer, is of sufficient strength and design to prevent escape by the particular dog confined therein; or

(3) Where such dog at all times is held and led by a leash of not more than six feet in length, securely attached to a harness or collar on the dog and held by a person capable of exercising complete control over such dog.

(Ord. 71-136 § 1 (part), 1994; Ord. No. 323, § 1(Att. 1), 11-19-2014)

Sunnyvale Restraint of Dogs Law

Sunnyvale Restraint of Dogs Law Text:

Title 6, § 6.04.100 Restraint of dogs.

(a) The dog owner or custodian must keep the dog confined to property owned or controlled by that person. Confinement shall be accomplished by means of a substantial fence or similar enclosure of sufficient strength and height to prevent the dog from escaping, or from extending its head through the enclosure so as to constitute a threat to any person or animal in the area adjoining the enclosure; or by keeping the dog inside a house or other building.

(b) The dog owner or custodian must keep the dog under direct physical restraint be means of a leash not to exceed six feet in length when the dog is on any public street, public sidewalk, other public place, at any event on public property, or at any private place or property or common area of any planned development.