Contra Costa County Dog Leash Laws

For dog owners, taking our furry friends out and about with us is one of the most enjoyable aspects of their companionship. They are part of our lives, part of our families and, given their daily need for exercise, part of our routines. While bringing our dogs into public is fun, it’s also a responsibility in that we need to keep them and other safe.

That’s why dog leash and running at large laws exist. If you’re looking for specific information on Contra Costa County dog leash laws, you’ll find them below. Click on the community from the list in which you’d like information, and you’ll be taken to the law that currently exists as well as to links for more information.

Contra Costa County Communities

Contra Costa County Dog Leash Law

The statute below governs all unincorporated communities in Contra Costa County, in addition to the following communities, which have incorporated the county statute by reference:

Brentwood
Clayton
Concord
Town of Danville
El Cerrito
Hercules
Lafayette
Martinez
Town of Moraga
Oakley
Orinda
Pinole
Pittsburg
Pleasant Hill
Richmond
San Pablo
San Ramon
Walnut Creek

Contra Costa County Animals at Large Law Text:

Chapter 416, Article 416-4.402 – Animals at large.

(a) No person owning, possessing, harboring, or controlling an animal may allow the animal to be at large.

(b) As used in this section, an “at large” animal means any of the following:

(1) A dog that is on public property or common areas of private property and is not under effective restraint of a leash. A dog is not “under effective restraint of a leash” if the leash: (A) is not made of sufficient material and strength to restrain the dog; (B) is longer than six feet; (C) is extendable or retractable; or (D) is not held in a manner that prevents the dog from being at large or causing injury to another animal or person. A dog is not required to be under restraint by a leash if the dog is on private property owned by, or in the possession of, the person owning or controlling the dog.

(2) An animal other than a dog or a cat that is not in the immediate presence and under the effective control of a person.

(3) An animal that is tethered or leashed: (A) for longer than fifteen minutes on any street or other public place not set aside for tethering or leashing; or (B) in such a way as to block a public walkway or thoroughfare.

(4) An animal on private property or in any public building without the consent of the owner or occupant.

(5) An animal in any place or position with the capacity to injure persons or property.

(Ords. 2021-13 § II, 4-27-21; Ord. 80-97 § 2).

Antioch Animals at Large Laws

Antioch Animals at Large Laws Text:

Article 6, § 6-1.501 UNLAWFUL ACTS.

It is unlawful for a person owning an animal to do any of the following. A violation of this section is also a public nuisance, under § 1-2.01(D):

(C) Allow an animal to be at large (or to be at a public park, playground or school unless under leash restraint); (see definition of “at large” at § 6-1.102.)

(D) Allow a dog to enter on private property without the consent of the person in possession of the property or to damage or destroy a lawn, tree, shrub, or other planting or any other improvement or thing of value on the property;

§ 6-1.102 DEFINITIONS.

AT LARGE. An animal that is: (i) not secured or enclosed on the owner’s property; or (ii) not under restraint by a substantial leash no longer than six feet and within the care, custody and physical control of a competent person authorized to be at that location. An at-large animal does not include a cat.