Humboldt County Dog Leash Laws
Dogs are a part of American society and American culture. They are members of our families as well as friends. Humboldt County is no different from any other location in the state or across the country in that we love our dogs here. We will do whatever it takes to keep them safe, happy, and healthy.
One of the most fundamental ways to do that is to make sure that our dogs are leashed and properly cared for when they are out in public. Humboldt County dog leash and running at large laws are designed to fulfill that goal. Below you’ll find a list of incorporated communities in the county. To find the text and a link to the dog-related laws in that area, click on that name and you’ll be brought to the information you need.
Humboldt County Dog Leash Laws
The county laws regarding dog leashes and running at large apply to unincorporated areas in the county.
Humboldt County Dog Leash Law Text:
Title V, Division 4, Chapter 1, Section 541-21. Confined to Owner’s Premises.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, permit or allow any dog owned, harbored, controlled or kept by him/her to roam, run or stray away from the premises where the same is owned, harbored or kept, at any time, except in the custody and control of the owner or some responsible person, duly authorized by the owner.
(b) The Animal Control Officer may seize and impound any dog found running at large at any time contrary to the provision of this section.
(Ord. 886, § 10, 10/24/1972; Ord. 2322, § 1, 7/6/2004)
Arcata Running at Large Law
Arcata Dogs Running at Large Law Text:
Title 5, Sec. 5207 Dogs not to run at large. Revised 11/25
Whether or not a dog is licensed under this Article, it shall be unlawful for any owner of, or person in charge of or in control of, any dog, to suffer or permit a dog to be in the City unless such dog be securely enclosed in a pen, a fenced yard or other enclosure, or securely tethered, or on a leash.
This section shall not apply to any dogs assisting Peace Officers engaged in law enforcement duties. This section shall not apply to areas within the city specifically set aside and posted for the exercise of animals. This section shall not apply to service animals when the handler of the service animal has a disability that prevents them using a harness, leash or tether, or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks; the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control such as by voice control, signals, or other effective means.
(Ord. 983, eff. 12/04/1981; Ord. 1582, eff. 10/9/2025)
Blue Lake Dog Leash Laws
Blue Lake Dog Leash Laws Text:
Title 6, Chapter 6.04
§ 6.04.030 Dogs Not to Run at Large.
Whether or not a dog is licensed under this chapter, it is unlawful and an infraction for any person to cause or permit or allow any dog or dogs owned, harbored, or controlled or kept by him or her to do any of the following:
A. To roam or run or stray away from the premises where the same is or are owned, harbored, or kept, at any time, except under and in the custody and control of the owner or some responsible person thereunto by the owner duly authorized.
B. To annoy, alarm, harass, or threaten the safety or well being of any person, or prevent the comfortable enjoyment and use of any public sidewalk, street, alley, or public meeting place within the City.
C. To trespass or go upon any private property after such person has been notified by the owner or occupier of such private property that such owner or occupier does not want such dog or dogs to trespass or go upon such private property.
D. To be in the City unattended unless such dog is securely enclosed in a pen, a fenced yard, or other enclosure, or is securely tethered.
§ 6.04.035 Dogs Must Be Secured By Leash.
A. It shall be unlawful for any owner of, or person in charge of or in control of, any dog to suffer or permit a dog to be in the City unless such dog is securely enclosed in a pen, a fenced yard, or other enclosure, or securely tethered, or on a leash.
B. No person having the control or care of any dog shall suffer or permit such dog to enter or remain in a public park or recreation area unless it is led by a leash of suitable strength not more than six feet in length. However, nothing in this section shall prevent a dog from being used without a leash to lawfully hunt wild birds or game or to herd, guard, gather, or otherwise work domestic animals or fowls in or upon a public place or premises so long as such dog is under the charge and control of a person competent to keep such dog under effective charge and control and so long as such dog does not wrongfully harm or damage or threaten to harm or damage any person or public or private property. In addition, nothing in this chapter shall prevent a dog from running without a leash in any area designated as a dog run or park by the City so long as such dog is under the charge and control of a person competent to keep such dog under effective charge and control and so long as such dog does not wrongfully harm or damage or threaten to harm or damage any person or public or private property.
C. This section shall not apply to any official law enforcement dogs on patrol.
(Ord. 543, 1/23/2024)
Eureka At Large Law
Eureka At Large Law Text:
Title IX, Chapter 91, § 91.205 ANIMALS AT LARGE.
No owner or custodian may allow any domestic animal under their control to run at large on public property or the private property of another. This section does not apply to domestic cats.
(Ord. 914-C.S., passed 4-20-21)
Ferndale Animals at Large Law
Ferndale Animals at Large Law Text:
Article 5, §5.01 Confinement of Dogs (This section is also listed in the Nuisance Ordinance)
5.01.1 Confined to premises: It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit or allow any dog or dogs, owned, harbored, controlled or kept by him, to roam or run or stray away from the premises where the same is or are owned, harbored or kept, at any time, except in the custody and control of the owner or some responsible person who has been authorized by the owner.
5.01.2 Leashed: Dogs shall be kept on a leash not to exceed eight (8) feet in length in all areas of the incorporated City, not on the owner’s premises.
Fortuna Dog Confinement Laws
Fortuna Dog Confinement Law Text:
Chapter 6, Section 6.12.010 Generally.
A. It is unlawful for any person to cause or permit or allow any dog or dogs, owned, harbored, controlled, or kept by him to roam or run or stray away from the premises where the same is or are owned, harbored, or kept, at any time, except in the custody and control of the owner or some responsible person, thereunto by the owner duly authorized.
B. In addition, all dogs shall be kept on a leash not to exceed eight feet in length in all areas of the incorporated city not on the owner’s premises.
C. It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to impound any dog found running at large at any time contrary to the provisions of this section.
(Ord. 76-362 § 5).
Rio Dell Dog Leash Laws
Rio Dell Dog Leash Law Text:
Title 6, § 6.05.050 Prohibitions.
(1) Animals Running at Large. No owner shall permit his animal, wild or domestic, except a domestic cat, to run at large within the City limits of Rio Dell.
Whenever the Chief Animal Control Officer or other authorized personnel thereof take up, assume control over, herd, or otherwise respond to a situation involving any animal which is at large, and which is not impounded pursuant to this chapter, the owner or other person responsible for the care or restraint of such animal shall pay, and be charged and liable for, a fee not to exceed the actual costs incurred by the City of Rio Dell in taking up, assuming control over, herding, or otherwise responding to the at large animal.
(2) Dogs on Leashes. It shall be unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog, harbored, or controlled by him/her to be on any public street, alley, lane, park, or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in the incorporated areas of the City unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hand of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog, unless the dog is securely confined in a vehicle.
(Ord. 287, 2012)
Trinidad Dog Confinement Law
Trinidad Dog Confinement Law Text:
Title 6, Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.050 Confinement of dogs to owner’s premises.
A. No person shall cause, permit or allow any dog or dogs owned, harbored, controlled or kept by him to be at large away from the premises where the same is or are owned, harbored or kept at any time except in the custody and control of the owner or some responsible person duly authorized by the owner. Any such dog found running at large in violation of this provision may be taken up and impounded and shall be released only after payment of the fees required by the Humane Society of Humboldt County, Inc.
B. This section shall not apply to any official city police dog while on patrol.
[Ord. 88-199 § 4, 1988].
