Napa County Dog Leash Laws
If you spend any time out and about in Napa County, you soon realize that dogs are an integral part of life here. The people of Napa love their dogs, and they tend to incorporate them into every aspect of their routine that’s possible. That obviously includes a daily dose of exercise, and while that’s beneficial for everyone, safety remains the top priority.
Napa County has dog leash and running at large laws in place on both the county and city/town level. Below you’ll find a list of the incorporated communities in the county. Click on yours and you’ll be taken to the text of the dog leash and/or running at large laws that apply, as well as to links that offer more information.
Napa County Dogs at Large Law
Napa County dog laws govern the unincorporated areas of the county.
Napa County dogs at large law text:
Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.190 – Dogs at large prohibited
It is unlawful for any person who owns, harbors or keeps, or who has possession, charge, care, custody or control of any dog over the age of four months in the county to permit the dog to run at large upon any public street, highway or other place, or to permit such dog to run upon the property of another without the consent of the property owner. Within thirty days of a second violation of this section, the animal shall be micro-chipped and spayed/neutered.
(Ord. 1305 § 1 (part), 2008)
Calistoga Dogs at Large Law
Calistoga Dogs at Large Law Text:
Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.100 Animals at large.
A. It is unlawful for any person who owns, harbors or keeps or who has possession, charge, care, custody or control of any animal within the City to willfully or negligently allow such animal to stray or run at large upon any public property or street or to permit such animal to run upon the property of another without the consent of the owner.
B. Each dog, other than a working dog, shall be confined by its owner or the owner’s agent on a leash of not more than 10 feet in length during any time such dog is removed from the property of its owner or from an enclosed, private place.
C. “Working dog,” as used in this chapter, shall mean a dog, while under the control of a human, which is used in the movement of livestock, or the lawful hunting or taking of game, or in field trials, exhibitions or competitions, or is an assistant to a disabled person.
(Ord. 380 § 2, 1982).
St. Helena Dogs at Large Law
St. Helena Dogs at Large Law Text:
Chapter 6.04, Sec. 6.04.190 Animals at Large Prohibited.
(a) An owner or person having custody, possession, or control of any animal shall not permit such animal to do any of the following:
1. To be at large in or upon any public place or property or upon any unenclosed property of another without the consent of the owner or tenant in possession thereof unless the animal is leashed, chained, strapped, haltered, harnessed, or saddled by a substantial leash, chain, or lead rope. Such leash, chain, or lead rope shall be not more than fifteen feet in length and shall be either continuously held by some person competent to keep such animal under effective control or staked, fastened, or otherwise kept secured.
2. To enter upon any private property without the consent of the owner or tenant in possession thereof, and it shall further be unlawful for an owner or person having custody, possession, or control of any animal, after receiving written notice via registered mail from any owner or tenant in possession of private property, to permit such animal to remain upon such property or to continue habitually to trespass thereon.
3. “At large” means any animal off the premises of its owner and not under the direct control of the owner or some responsible person authorized by the owner. An animal is not “at large” within the meaning of this subsection if, while under the effective control of a competent person, it is being used to guard, herd, gather, or otherwise work animals, to assist in the lawful hunting or taking of animals, or in field trials, exhibitions, competitions, or parades, and as long as such animal does not wrongfully harm or damage any person, public property, or property of another.
(Ord. 01-9 § 1; prior code § 3.6)
Yountville Dogs at Large Law
Yountville Dogs at Large Law Text:
Chapter 6.04, § 6.04.060 Dogs at large prohibited.
An owner or person having custody, possession, or control or any dog shall not permit such dog to do any of the following:
(a) To be at large in or upon any public place or property or upon any unenclosed property of another without the consent of the owner or tenant in possession thereof unless the dog is leashed, chained, strapped, haltered, harnessed, or saddled by a substantial leash, chain, or lead rope. Such leash, chain, or lead rope shall be not more than ten feet in length and shall be either continuously held by some person competent to keep such dog under effective control or staked, fastened, or otherwise kept secured. A dog is not “at large” within the meaning of this subsection if, while under the effective control of a competent person, it is being used to guard, herd, gather, or otherwise work animals, to assist in the lawful hunting or taking of animals, or in field trials, exhibitions, competitions, or parades, and as long as such dog does not wrongfully harm or damage any person, public property, or property of another.
(b) To enter upon any private property without the consent of the owner or tenant in possession thereof, and it shall further be unlawful for an owner or person having custody, possession, or control of any dog, after receiving written notice via registered mail from any owner or tenant in possession of private property, to permit such dog to remain upon such property or to continue habitually to trespass thereon.
(Ord. 308-01)
American Canyon Dog Leash Law
American Canyon Dog Leash Law Text:
Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.010 When dogs to be leashed.
(A) Any person owning or possessing a dog must keep the dog on a leash not exceeding six feet in length. The leash must be of sufficient strength to hold the dog, and the leash must be held by a person physically able to control the dog.
(B) Exceptions. A dog may be unleashed under any of the following circumstances:
(1) When the dog is on enclosed property with the consent of the owner, lessee, or other person with legal control of the property; or
(2) When the dog is assisting a peace officer who is engaged in law enforcement duties; or
(3) When the dog is a service animal, guide dog or Seeing-Eye dog used by a visually or mobility-impaired individual; or
(4) When the dog is assisting a duly authorized person in an official search and rescue operation; or
(5) When the dog is participating in law enforcement training or demonstration as authorized by the chief of police; or
(6) When the dog is in a designated off-leash area as designated by the city council pursuant to resolution; or when the dog and the dog owner are in compliance with a park use permit issued by the community resources director for training, exhibition, or competition, and the permit is displayed, on request of any city employee, establishing the dog’s compliance with the permit.
(Ord. 2014-05 § 1, 2014.)
