Santa Barbara County Dog Leash Laws
People who own dogs tend to incorporate them into several aspects of their lives, and vice versa. That’s no different in Santa Barbara County, where you’ll see dogs walking and playing with their humans in every community in the county. Dogs also need daily exercise and fresh air, so that’s part of the reason they are so prevalent in the area.
Of course, keeping dogs safe is of paramount importance. That’s why we have leash laws and running at large laws. If you’re unsure of the specific leash and/or running at large law that governs your community, click on the city or town below that’s relevant to you. You’ll be taken to the text of that governing law and you’ll be provided a link to more information.
Santa Barbara County Dog Leash Laws
The Santa Barbara County dog restraint law governs unincorporated areas of the county. The county laws also govern the following communities:
Buellton
Goleta
Solvang
Santa Barbara County Restraint Law Text:
Article II, Sec. 7-11. – Generally.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having custody and control of any animal to fail to keep such animal under restraint when such animal is in or upon any public or private property or area without the express permission of the owner or custodian of such property or area.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having custody and control of any animal to stake out or tether such animal in such a manner that would permit or allow such animal to go in or upon any public or private property or area without the express permission of the owner or person in possession and control of such property or area.
(c) It shall be unlawful for the owner or person having custody and control of any female dog in heat to fail to confine or enclose such female dog so that she cannot come in contact with any male dog except for the purpose of planned breeding.
(d) Any animal not kept under restraint or so confined or enclosed is hereby declared to be a menace and a nuisance to public health and safety.
(e) The county may seize and impound any animal not kept under restraint or so confined or enclosed.
(Ord. No. 4948, 11-17-2015)
Carpinteria Dog Leash Law
Carpinteria Dog Leash Law Text:
Title 6, Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.230 – Dog leash requirements.
It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him to be on any public street, alley, lane, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in the city or on any private property without permission of the owner or person in charge thereof, unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hand of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog or unless the dog is securely confined in a vehicle.
(Ord. No. 704, § 2, 12-14-2015; Ord. No. 733, § 3, 11-12-2019)
Guadalupe Running at Large Law
Guadalupe Running at Large Law Text:
Title 6, Chapter 6.04, § 6.04.110 Running at large prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person having the care or possession of a dog or any other animal to allow or permit the dog or other animal to run at large within the City.
(Ord. 2006-375 §1)
Lompoc Dogs at Large Law
Lompoc Dogs at Large Law Text:
Title 6, Chapter 6.08, § 6.08.180 Dog Bites and Dogs At Large—Penalty.
An owner or custodian of a dog who permits, allows or causes the dog to run, stray or be uncontrolled or at large upon a public street, sidewalk, park or other public property, or in or upon private property of another person without the consent of the property owner or person in lawful occupation or possession, is guilty of a public offense punishable as an infraction under section 6.08.260.
(Ord. 1622(16) § 11)
Santa Barbara Animals Running at Large Law
Santa Barbara Dogs Running at Large Law Text:
Title 6, Chapter 6.08, § 6.08.020 Animals Running at Large and Grazing Prohibited – Exception – Nuisance.
A. Animals at large. It is unlawful for any guardian of an animal to cause or permit or allow the same to stray or run, or in any other manner to be at large in or upon any unenclosed lot or place. Whenever an animal is found running at large, the same shall constitute prima facie evidence that the guardian permitted it to run at large. It shall likewise be unlawful for any guardian to cause or permit or allow the same to be staked out, or to herd or graze any animal upon any unenclosed private lot or land in such a manner that the rope or other attachment by which such animal is tethered may permit such animal to be or to go beyond the boundaries of the unenclosed private lot or land. Any animal, suffered or permitted to be at large, or otherwise to be within the City in violation of the provisions of this title, is declared to be a public nuisance.
B. Dogs in public. No dog is permitted upon a street or other public place unless on a leash not in excess of six feet in length and under the immediate care and control of the guardian thereof, except during supervised dog training classes, shows or exhibitions held in City parks when authorized by a Park Use Permit issued by the Parks and Recreation Department.
(Ord. 3744, 1975; Ord. 4346, 1985; Ord. 4460, 1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 5049, 1998; Ord. 5218, 2002; Ord. 5323, 2004; Ord. 5906, 2019; Ord. 6075, 2022)
Santa Maria Dogs Running at Large Law
Santa Maria Dogs Running at Large Law Text:
Title 5, Chapter 5-3, Section 5-3.201 Running at large: Generally.
It is unlawful for any person owning or having custody or control of any dog to allow, cause or permit such dog to be at large in or upon any sidewalk, street or other public place in the City or in or upon any private property or area in the City without the express permission of the owner or custodian of such property or area; provided, that dogs may be permitted upon the sidewalks and other public places of the City if on a leash six feet in length or less and under the immediate care and control of the owner or other person having custody or control thereof. An Animal Control Officer may impound any dog found running at large. Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 2016-14, eff. 7/21/16)
