Alameda County Leash Laws

There are norms and laws that deal with dogs, much like any other component of society. These rules exist for multiple reasons, not the least of which is the fact that both people and dogs need to be kept safe from avoidable dangers. The laws that tend to affect dog owners more on a daily basis than any others are Alameda County leash laws.

Unfortunately, in some situations there are countywide laws and city ordinances, and at times these laws can differ. In order to help clarify the situation in Alameda County, we’re going to lay out all of the Alameda County leash laws below. The first list you will see are those communities that follow the countywide leash laws, either directly or because the city ordinances are almost completely similar to the county laws. The next list will comprise of communities that have adopted their own leash laws.

Communities Following Alameda County Leash Laws

  • Dublin
  • Fremont
  • Hayward
  • Livermore
  • Newark
  • Piedmont
  • Pleasanton
  • San Leandro
  • Union City

Alameda County Leash Law

5.08.010 – Running at large prohibited.

No owner or keeper of a dog shall allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run at large in or upon any public place or premises, or in or upon any private place or premises other than those of said owner or keeper except with the consent of the person in charge of said private place or premises, unless such dog is securely restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six feet in length and is in charge and control of a person competent to keep such dog under effective charge and control[.]

Communities Following Their Own Leash Laws

Click on your community, and you’ll be taken directly to the text that applies to your area:

AlamedaEmeryville
AlbanyOakland
Berkeley

Alameda Leash Law

7-3.8 – Leashing.

It shall be unlawful for any person having an interest in, owning, harboring or having in charge, care or control, custody or possession of any dog to cause or permit such dog to be in, on, or upon any public street, alley, or other public place, unless such dog is kept securely fastened by a rope, chain or leash of sufficient length and strength to maintain control of the animal and under the supervision of a responsible person, or confined within the private property of the owner or person having control of the dog.

Albany Leash Laws

§ 10-4.2 – Animals At-Large.

a. Except as otherwise provided, no domestic animal, except cats, shall be permitted to be on public property or the private property of anyone other than the guardian/owner unless under proper control and supervision by a capable person. Any domestic animal found at-large within City limits shall be impounded.

b. It shall be unlawful for dogs to be designated areas during designated times and days in Albany’s parks as set forth by the Albany City Council. The specific days, areas, and hours shall be adopted by resolution after considering recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Commission. At no time shall dogs be permitted inside the play structure areas of any of Albany’s Parks.

Berkeley Leash Law

10.04.090 – Running at large prohibited.

Except in an area specifically set aside and designated by the City Council as a “dog park”, or “off-leash” area no owner/guardian or keeper of a dog shall allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run at large in or upon any public place or premises, or in or upon any private place or premises other than those of said owner/guardian or keeper except with the consent of the person in charge of said private place or premises, unless such dog is securely restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six feet in length and is in charge and control. An obedience-trained dog under effective charge and control within six feet of his master shall be deemed to be on a leash. For the purposes of this section, any dog in or upon any motor vehicle shall be deemed to be on the premises of the operator thereof.

Emeryville Leash Law

6-1.113 – Animals Running at Large.

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having under his control any animal to permit such animal to be at large within the City unless such animal is securely restrained by a substantial leash and is in the charge and control of a competent person.

Oakland Leash Laws

6.04.070 – Dogs at large.

Except in the case of a “Seeing Eye dog” actually being used by a blind person, a “signal dog” actually being used by a hearing impaired person, or a “service dog” actually being used by a handicapped person, or a police dog being used by any federal, state, county, city or city and county law enforcement agency for any law enforcement purpose, it is unlawful for any person owning or having in charge, care, control, or custody any dog, hereinafter referred to as “dog guardian”, to cause, allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, on or upon any public street, alley or other public place, except as expressly set forth below in this section.

Leashed. All dogs shall be leashed and securely and continuously held by a responsible person when on public property. All dog guardians (owners. caretakers, dog walkers) must keep the dog securely on a leash no further than six feet away from a responsible dog guardian, and the leash must be securely attached to a collar or harness at all times when on sidewalks. streets, alleys, parks or other public property. Chain leashes or tethers are prohibited. Dogs may only be off leash on private property where permission from the property owner permits the dog to be off-leash, or in designated off-leash areas.