San Francisco County Dog Leash Laws

If you spend any time in San Francisco County, you’ll soon realize that this is a very dog-friendly place. Dogs are a part of life here, and you’ll see them everywhere with their humans, rain or shine, day or night. While dogs add a lot to our lives and even to our culture, they can also pose a risk if we do not care for them properly and take proper precautions.

The most common precaution we should all take involves leashes. There are laws regarding dog leash use in San Francisco County, and this area is unique in that every community in the county adheres to one centralized set of county laws.

Below you’ll find the information pertaining to dog leashes and dogs running at large in San Francisco County for your reference.

San Francisco County Dog Leash Laws

San Francisco County Dog Leash Law Text:

Article 1, SEC. 41.12. DUTIES OF OWNERS OR GUARDIANS.

(a) It shall be unlawful for the owner or guardian of any animal, other than a domestic cat, to permit said animal to run at large within the City and County; provided, however, that the provisions of this subsection shall not be applicable to any area under the jurisdiction of the Recreation and Park Commission of the City and County, and which has been designated by said Commission as an animal exercise area.

1. It shall be unlawful for the owner or guardian of any animal to permit said animal to be within an area designated as an animal exercise area unless said owner or guardian is physically present at all times during which the animal is within said area.