Nevada County Dog Leash Laws
Dogs are a big part of our lives and our culture across the United States. They are not only our friends, but also a part of our family. Every dog owner knows how much fun it is to bring our dogs to new places, to explore new things and to meet new friends. Every dog owner should also know that it’s paramount to keep our furry friends safe, and the best way to do that out in public is with a leash.
ANIMAL CONTROL
To help protect your dog, other people, pets, wildlife, and the community, Nevada County Animal Control enforces rules requiring dogs to be properly restrained when off private property, with limited exceptions for designated areas. When owners fail to restrain their dogs appropriately, it can lead to dogs running at large, injuries, bites, or enforcement actions such as citations and impoundment. For more information about local animal control services and enforcement, visit our Nevada County animal control information page.
You may be one of many who is not aware of the leash laws that exist in the incorporated communities in Nevada County. Below you’ll find a list of those incorporated communities. Simply click on the appropriate one and you’ll be taken to the text and a link to the law that governs that area.
Nevada County Dog Leash Laws
The Nevada County Dog leash law governs all unicorporated areas of the county.
Nevada County Animals Running at Large Law Text:
Chapter 1, Section 8.01.470 – Animals Running at Large Prohibited.
No person owning or having possession, charge, custody, or control of any animal shall cause, permit, or allow the animal to be in any building or enclosure or to stray, run, or in any other manner to be at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk, park, school ground, or other public place, or upon any private place or property without the permission of the owner or person in control of such private place or property.
An animal shall be deemed at large anytime it is off the premises of its owner/custodian and not under direct control of the owner/custodian by means of leash, chain, tether, adequate fence, or other effective device.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:
A. Any hunting dog during such time it is being used for the purpose of lawful hunting, or during such time it is being trained to be a hunting dog, provided such hunting or training is on land or premises to which the person hunting or training such dog has a legal right to be upon.
B. Working animals during those periods when the animal is working.
C. Animals in the immediate presence and under direct control of the owner/custodian. This means the animal is in the close proximity of the owner/custodian, and the owner/custodian can demonstrate effective control of the animal.
(Ord. 2522. (04/18/2023); Ord. 2530. (10/24/2023))
Grass Valley Restraint of Dogs Law
Grass Valley Restraint of Dogs Law Text:
Title 6, 6.16.110 – Restraint of dogs
A. Every person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall keep such dog exclusively upon its own premises; provided, however, that such dog may be off such premises if it is under the control of a competent person and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, if shall be unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog, whether or not restrained as provided for in subsection (A) of this section, or any other animal, to allow such dog or animal to be in or upon any public street or grounds or area during any public sanctioned or permitted event such as, but not limited to, Cornish Christmas, the Draft Horse events, craft fairs, car shows, or other organized gatherings and events such as parades and sidewalk sales. This section shall not apply to guide dogs, signal dogs, or service dogs specially trained for that purpose accompanying a person who is totally or partially blind, deaf, hearing impaired, or physically handicapped, or otherwise prevent the city from complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act or related provisions of state and federal law.
C. Notwithstanding subsection (B) of this section, dogs and animals may be permitted to be in or upon any public street or grounds or area during any public sanctioned or permitted event if permitted pursuant to the procedures established in chapter 5.32 of this Code.
D. It is unlawful for any person to leave an unattended dog tethered upon or along a public right-of-way.
E. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, every violation of any of the provisions of this section or Section 6.12.010 shall be punishable as an infraction and shall be punished by a fine as established by Government Code Section 36900 then in effect.
(Ord. 500 § 1, 1993: prior code § 2-29)
(Ord. No. 15-761, § 1, 10-13-2015)
Nevada City Restraint of Dogs Law
Nevada City Restraint of Law Dogs Law Text:
Title 6, Section 6.16.110 – Restraint of dogs.
A. Every person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall keep such dog exclusively upon its own premises; provided, however, that such dog may be off such premises if it is under the control of a competent person and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length.
B. It is unlawful for any person to leave an unattended dog tethered upon or along a public right-of-way.
C. It is unlawful for the owner or any person having control of any dog to allow or permit such dogs, except “seeing eye” dogs and canine companions (assisting persons with disabilities), under any circumstances, to be present on public property in that portion of the historical district of the city of Nevada City which lies north of Deer Creek during the Nevada City bicycle races traditionally held in June.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, every violation of any of the provisions of this section or Section 6.12.010 shall be punishable as an infraction and shall be punished by a fine as established by Government Code Section 36900 then in effect.
(Ord. 98-03 § 1, 1998; Ord. 92-10 § 2 (part), 1992)
Truckee Animals Running at Large Law
Truckee Animals Running at Large Law Text:
Title 8. 8.01.420 – Animals Running at Large Prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person owning or having possession, charge, custody, or control of any animal to cause, permit or allow the animal to stray, run or in any other manner to be at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk, park, school ground, or other public place, or upon any private place or property without consent of the owner or person in control of such private place or property.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:
(a) Any hunting dog during such time it is being used for the purpose of lawful hunting or during such time it is being trained to be a hunting dog, provided such hunting or training is on land or premises to which the person hunting or training such dog has a legal right to be upon.
(b) Working dogs during those periods when the dog is working other animals.
(c) Animals in the immediate presence and under direct control of the owner and the owner can demonstrate effective control of the animal.
(d) No person shall bring or allow any dog or other animal in any area or portion of the Truckee River Regional Park unless such animal at all times is kept on a leash and under full control of its owner from May 1 to October 31 of the year. At all other times of the year, dogs or other animals in the Truckee River Regional Park, the boundaries of which are described in (Exhibit “A”), shall be in the immediate presence and under the direct and effective control of the owner as set forth in Section (c) above.
(ORD 96-02 04-18-96; ORD 2002-02, 2/02)
