Orange County Leash Laws

Orange County Communities Following the Countywide Leash Law

The following communities have incorporated the countywide leash law into their local municipal codes:

• Aliso Viejo
• Anaheim
• Brea
• City of Orange
• Fullerton
• Fountain Valley
• Garden Grove
• Huntington Beach
• Dana Point
• Laguna Niguel
• Laguna Beach
• Laguna Hills
• Laguna Woods
• Mission Viejo
• Placentia
• San Juan Capistrano
• Rancho Santa Margarita
• Tustin
• Westminster
• Villa Park
• Stanton
• Yorba Linda

Orange County Dog Restraint Law Explained

Below you’ll find the text to Orange County dog restraint laws. It covers two contexts:

1. When the dog is on private property; and
2. When the dog is on public property.

When on private property, a person legally responsible for a dog or dogs must have something in place – a wall, fence, leash, etc. – that safely keeps a dog away from others. It’s also permissible to have a person who is able to control the dog present.

When on public property, dogs must be on leashes that cannot exceed 6 feet in length and be under the control of someone competent to handle it. The only exception to this arises when the owner or operator of this public property provides written permission for a dog to run free without a leash.

Orange County Dog Restraint Law Text

Sec. 4-1-45. – Restraint of dogs.

No person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall cause or permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog to be upon any private property unless such dog be restrained thereon by a fence, wall, substantial chain, leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length, other appropriate physical restraint, or is under the charge of a person competent to exercise care, custody, and control over such dog.

No person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall cause or permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog to be upon any public property unless such dog be restrained by a substantial chain, or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length, and is under the charge of a person competent to exercise care, custody, and control over such dog, unless the owner or operator of such public property grants written permission for such dog to be on such property without such chain or leash.

(Ord. No. 2836, § 3, 6-6-75; Ord. No. 2908, § 1, 5-4-76)

**Source: Orange County California Municipal Code Library

Orange County Communities With Differing Leash Laws

Generally speaking, all of the Orange County leash laws are essentially the same in what they require and prohibit, but there are some slight differences. Below you’ll find a breakdown of the communities with slightly different leash laws in Orange County and what that means for the general public.

Buena Park Leash Laws

Buena Park’s leash law is singular in number, and its language is more straightforward. See below:

6.20.070 – Leash required.

No person owning or harboring any dog shall allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or not, to be upon a public street, sidewalk, park, school ground, public place or upon any unenclosed lot or land except when held under leash by an able-bodied person. (Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

https://library.qcode.us/lib/buena_park_ca/pub/city_code/item/title_6-chapter_6_20-6_20_070

Cypress Leash Laws

The leash laws in Cypress are almost completely similar to those that exist on a countywide basis, except that the community specifies the separation of offenses if the leash laws are not followed:

Sec. 4-1-45. – Restraint of Dogs

No person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall cause or permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog to be upon any private property unless such dog be restrained thereon by a fence, wall, substantial chain, leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length, other appropriate physical restraint, or is under the charge of a person competent to exercise care, custody, and control over such dog.

No person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall cause or permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog to be upon any public property unless such dog be restrained by a substantial chain, or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length, and is under the charge of a person competent to exercise care, custody, and control over such dog, unless the owner or operator of such public property grants written permission for such dog to be on such property without such chain or leash. Each and every day during any portion of which any violation of this Code or any other ordinance, order, rule, or regulation of the City continues shall constitute a separate offense, and shall be subject to penalty fees as provided by Cypress Municipal Code, Chapter 1, Section 1-7.

https://library.qcode.us/lib/cypress_ca/pub/city_code/item/chapter_3-sec_3_2

Irvine Leash Laws

The Irvine leash laws specify the types of public property to which their laws apply. They also exclude certain dog parks and what are known as “working dogs” as detailed below:

Sec. 4-5-701. – Leash required.

No person owning or having charge, care or custody of any dog shall cause, fail to curb, or allow the same to run at large upon any highway, street, alley, sidewalk, schoolyard, common area, trail, open space or other public place, or upon any private property or premises other than his or her own without written consent of the owner or leasee of such land, unless such dog is restrained by a substantial leash, not to exceed six feet in length, and in the charge of a person competent to restrain such dog. This section does not apply to an approved dog park where it is authorized to run your dog(s) off leash, nor does it apply to those situations enumerated under Section 4-5-707 of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

Sec. 4-5-707. – Working dogs.

A working dog, performing acts such as herding under the control and supervision of owner or handler, shall not be considered as unleashed while performing his or her duties. A hunting, obedience, tracking or show dog shall not be considered unleashed while performing in a formalized field trial, exercise show, or when considered on duty and working as a hunting or tracking dog.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

Costa Mesa Leash Laws

The Costa Mesa leash law that differs – or at least specifies in greater detail – from the countywide leash laws involves identifying the parties who can enforce said law and how.

3-112. – Leash required; enforcement.

No person having the care, charge or control of any dog shall permit or allow the dog to be present upon any street, alley, park or public place in the city unless such dog is securely restrained by a leash or chain not exceeding six (6) feet in length and to be held by that person. Any police or other city enforcement officer may order that the owner or person having the care, charge or control of any dog determined to be in violation of this section shall immediately remove such dog from the street, alley, park or public place.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)

La Habra Leash Law

The La Habra leash law only deals with dogs on public property.

6.20.100 – Leash required.

No person owning or harboring any dog shall allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or not, to be upon a public street, sidewalk, park, school ground, public place or upon any unenclosed lot or land except when held under leash by an able-bodied person.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

La Palma Leash Laws

The La Palma leash laws present two differences from the county statute:

They state that dogs inside of enclosed vehicles do not need leashes and Law enforcement dogs are not subject to these laws.

Sec. 8-131. – Running at large prohibited; dogs.

(a) No person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody, or possession of any dog shall cause or permit such dog to be off the premises of its owner, unless such dog is securely confined by a strong leash not exceeding six feet, securely and continuously held by a competent person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody, or possession of such dog, or unless such dog be confined within an enclosed vehicle.

(b) This section shall not apply to any dog being used for law enforcement purposes by any State, County, City, or City and County law enforcement agency.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-51, 12-15-2009)

Los Alamitos Leash Laws

There are a few differences between the Los Alamitos leash laws and those of Orange County, and one seemingly minor difference is that leashes can be up to 8 feet long. There is also a detailed list of legal rights and obligations for those who use dog parks.

6.16.100  – Dog leash required.

A. No person owning, having a proprietary interest in, harboring or having the care, charge, control, custody or possession of a dog, shall permit such dog to be in or upon any public street, park or other public place unless such dog is upon a secure leash not more than eight feet long held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling the dog, or unless the dog is securely confined within an automobile, or in or upon any unenclosed lot or premises, unless the dog is securely leashed upon the unenclosed lot or premises; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any such person who is in possession or operating within the terms of a valid, unrevoked permit from the city for the conduct of obedience or other types of trial or show of dogs in or upon any public place.

B. This section shall not apply to dogs under the control of a competent person in a designated fenced dog exercise and training area in a city park or portion of a city park approved and designated for that purpose by the city council.

C. The following regulations and limitations shall apply to all dog exercise and training areas:

1. Designated off-leash exercise and training areas will be open from six a.m. to ten p.m.
2. As a condition of admission to such dog exercise and training areas, the owner of such dog must carry a suitable container or instrument for the removal and disposal of dog feces.
3. Owners of dogs making use of the facilities shall clean all dog feces from the designated area.
4. Aggressive dogs are not permitted in the exercise and training areas. Owners are legally responsible for any injury caused by their dog.
5. Any dog over the age of four months shall have been vaccinated and legally licensed prior to use of the designated exercise and training area.
6. Female dogs in heat are not permitted to use the facilities.
7. Professional dog trainers may not use the facilities in the conduct of their business.
8. There shall be no smoking in the exercise and training area.
9. The owner of any dog using the designated exercise and training area must have in his possession at all times that the dog is in the exercise and training area a leash for such dog which shall be worn by the dog at all times the dog is not in the exercise and training area.
10. Owners will otherwise comply with all rules governing the parks and relevant parking regulations.
11. Use of the dog exercise and training area by any dog shall constitute implied consent of the dog’s owner to all of the conditions stated in this section and shall constitute a waiver of liability to the city and an agreement and undertaking to protect, indemnify, defend and hold the city harmless for any injury or damage caused by such dog during any time that the dog is not on its leash.

(Ord. 647 § 3, 2001)

Newport Beach Leash Laws

The Newport Beach dog laws specify where dogs are not allowed even while on leashes with the exceptions included:

7.04.020  – Leash Required.

No person having the care, charge or control of any dog shall cause or allow, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, such dog to be present upon any beach, street, alley, or public place, or upon any private property or premises other than his or her own without written consent of the owner or lessee of such land unless such dog is securely restrained by a substantial leash or chain not exceeding six feet in length and controlled by a person competent to restrain such dog. This section shall not be construed as allowing dogs on leashes in the areas from which dogs are prohibited as designated by Sections 7.04.025, 7.04.030, and 7.04.050.

(Ord. 89-8 § 1, 1989: Ord. 1230 § 1, 1967: Ord. 796 (part), 1956: 1949 Code § 4107)

7.04.025  – Prohibited on School Grounds.

No person having the care, charge or control of any dog shall cause or allow, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, such dog to be present on or in any public school property other than when specifically invited by the school administration.

The prohibitions contained in this section shall not be applicable to any guide dog while being used by a blind person provided that the dog is on leash, carries clearly visible identification, and the person in charge has an official identification card issued for such purposes.

(Ord. 89-8 § 2, 1989)

7.04.030 – Animals Prohibited on Public Beaches.

A. No person having the care, custody, charge or control of any animal shall permit or allow that animal to be on any ocean front beach or ocean front sidewalk between the hours 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

B. No person having the care, custody, charge or control of any animal shall permit or allow that animal to be on any harbor/bay front beach between the hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. year-round.

C. No person having the care, custody, charge or control of any animal shall permit or allow that animal to be on any ocean front beach, ocean front sidewalk, harbor/bay front beach or harbor/bay front sidewalk unless that person has, in his or her possession, an implement or device capable of removing any feces deposited by the animal.

D. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to:

1. Any animal enrolled and participating in obedience classes offered by the Recreation and Senior Services Department of the City or in any show for which the City has issued a special event permit;
2. Any service dog, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), or any dog being trained to be a service dog as defined by the ADA pursuant to a recognized program of training, provided the dog is on a leash and the person in charge has an official identification card issued for such purposes.

(Ord. 2010-25 § 1, 2010: Ord. 96-29 § 1, 1996; Ord. 95-41 § 1, 1995: Ord. 89-8 § 3, 1989: Ord. 1410 § 1, 1971: Ord. 1386 § 1, 1971: Ord. 796 (part), 1956: Ord. 662: 1949 Code § 4107.1)

7.04.050 – Dogs Prohibited.

A. No person shall permit or allow any dog on any public pier or dock.

B. No person shall permit or allow any dog in the Balboa Island Park, which is a public park located on the west side of Agate Avenue between Park and the alley north of South Bayfront on Balboa Island.

C. No person shall permit or allow any dog to enter or remain on the playground, basketball courts, or fenced in grass areas immediately surrounding the basketball courts and playground at the 38th Street Park, which is a public park located at Balboa Blvd. at 38th Street, Newport Beach.

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any blind person using a guide dog provided the dog is on a leash.

(Ord. 2001-9 § 1, 2001: 1949 Code § 4109) (Ord. No. 2009-3, § 1, 1-27-2009)

San Clemente Leash Laws

San Clemente leash laws specify where dogs are allowed and where they are not below, including whether or not they are allowed with or without a leash and when:

6.08.020 – Dogs on public property—Animals in proximity to residences.

A. Dogs Within or Upon Public Beaches, Parks, Municipal Pier, Municipal Golf Course, etc., Prohibited. …..Except as provided below, no owner or person in charge or in control of any dog shall permit or allow such dog to be within or upon the public beaches, public access ways to the beach, parks, municipal pier, or municipal golf course, and such dogs are prohibited from being within or upon such aforementioned public places.

1. City Parks Where Dogs are Permitted On-Leash: A dog who is on a leash and under the control of the dog’s owner or the owner’s agent is permitted within specified parks that the City Council may, from time to time, designate by duly passed resolution.
2. City Parks Where Dogs are Permitted Off-Leash: The City Council may, from time to time, designate by duly passed resolution, one or more off-leash dog parks where dogs may be permitted without a leash, provided the owners or owners’ agents comply with all animal related rules and regulations, including posted rules and regulations specifically provided for the use of said off-leash dog park(s).
3. Effective Date Designated Parks Are Available To Dogs; Regulations: A park designated by the City Council as being available to dogs shall be deemed to be available for use by dogs at such time as the Director of Beaches, Parks and Recreation erects signs in the park noting that the park has been so designated. Any dog using a public park in accordance with this section shall have a collar attached to it that contains a current dog license.
4. Removal of Park From List of Designated Dog Parks: Notwithstanding any of the above, the City Council may, from time to time, by duly passed resolution, remove any park from its list of parks designated for use by dogs if it determines that such removal is in the best interests of the City.
5. Dogs on Leashes Allowed on Beach Trail: A dog who is on a leash and under the control of the dog’s owner or the owner’s agent is permitted on all portions of the Beach Trail and all beach access ways providing access to the Beach Trail, including those portions of the Beach Trail and beach access ways that overlay the beach service road, at all times of the year, except on the Fourth of July and during the time that major City-sponsored special events (e.g., the Ocean Festival) are occurring on the beach and the Director of Beaches, Parks, and Recreation has posted the Beach Trail to prohibit dogs, at which times dogs shall be prohibited in such areas.

B. Dogs on Leashes Allowed on Municipal Trails. …..Dogs which are on leashes and under the control of the dog’s owner or owner’s agent are permitted on municipal trails. For the purposes of this section, the term “municipal trails” shall mean those trails identified in the City of San Clemente General Plan.

C. Keeping of Certain Animals and Fowl Near Residences. …..It shall be unlawful for any person in a residential structure to keep or maintain any animal within one hundred (100) feet of any other residential structure occupied by a person other than the animal’s owner and/or keeper unless:

1. It is expressly allowed by the Zoning Code;
2. Dogs and cats. With the exception of those persons who have a valid animal rescue permit issued by CASA, any person keeping five (5) or six (6) dogs or cats over four (4) months in age, or any combination thereof, is first required to obtain a private kennel permit pursuant to San Clemente Municipal Code Section 6.20.010. Keeping more than 6 dogs or cats over four (4) months in age, or any combination thereof, on any residential property is prohibited unless otherwise expressly permitted by the City’s Zoning Ordinance, current existing private kennel permit as defined in section 6.20.010 A, or a valid animal rescue permit issued by CASA.

D. Dogs Prohibited. …..Dogs shall be prohibited on Avenida Del Mar from its intersection with El Camino Real to its intersection with Avenida Seville during the San Clemente Fiesta celebration.

E. Modification. …..In the event of special circumstances so warranting, the City Council may by resolution modify the requirements established herein. Modifications by the City Council shall only be made if the City Council determines that such modification will not be contrary to the public health, safety or welfare.

(Ord. 1326 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1279 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1259 § 3, 2002; Ord. 1149 § 3, 1995: prior code § 17-30)
(Ord. No. 1486, § 1, 5-21-2009; Ord. No. 1493, § 5, 7-21-2009; Ord. No. 1664 , § 12, 9-18-2018)

Santa Ana Leash Laws

The Santa Ana leash laws are relatively new and much more detailed than those for the county as a whole:

Sec. 5-58. – Dogs at large.

(a) All dogs must be confined within a yard or other enclosure except as hereinafter provided.

(b) No person owning, keeping, or harboring any dog shall permit such dog to be on any public street or other public place within the city except when, such dog is wearing a collar and current license tag and is secured to and controlled by the person in charge of such dog by a leash of sufficient strength to support at least forty (40) pounds dead weight and having a length of not more than eight (8) feet; nor shall such person permit such dog to trespass or be upon the private property of any other person without the consent of such other person.

(c) Any person violating any of the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable as follows: By a minimum fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) but not to exceed the maximum punishment for misdemeanors, except that upon a second conviction within one (1) year of a prior conviction for violation of said subsections, punishment shall be a minimum fine of not less than seventy-five dollars ($75.00) but not to exceed the maximum punishment for misdemeanors, and a third conviction within one (1) year of two (2) prior convictions shall be punishable by a minimum fine of not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) but not to exceed the maximum punishment for misdemeanors.

(d) No person owning, keeping or harboring any unspayed female dog shall permit such dog to be at large, be led on a leash, or tied or maintained at any place that is not securely fenced in a manner to keep out all other dogs while such female dog is in heat or breeding condition. Every female dog kept in violation hereof is declared to be a public nuisance and may be taken up, impounded, and delivered to the county pound and there released or disposed of as provided in this article. The provision for impounding shall be in addition to any punishment for the violation of this subsection.

(e) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (d) of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable as follows: By a minimum fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) but not to exceed the maximum punishment for misdemeanors, except that upon a second conviction within one year of a prior conviction for violation of said subsection, punishment shall be a minimum fine of not less than seventy-five dollars ($75.00) but not to exceed the maximum punishment for misdemeanors, and a third conviction within one (1) year of two (2) prior convictions shall be punishable by a minimum fine of not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) but not to exceed the maximum punishment for misdemeanors.

(Ord. No. NS-1020, § 1, 7-6-70; Ord. No. NS-1216, § 1, 8-5-74; Ord. No. NS-1527, § 2, 5-5-80; Ord. No. NS-1765, § 2, 3-18-85; Ord. No. NS-1788, § 1, 8-19-85; Ord. No. NS-2134, § 20, 7-1-91)

Seal Beach Leash Laws

The Seal Beach leash law for dogs and cats is very short and simple:

7.05.055 – At-Large Requirements for Cats and Dogs.

A. No owner of a dog shall permit the animal to be at large unless it is leashed, confined in a motor vehicle or on another person’s property with permission.

B. No owner of a cat shall permit the animal to enter upon another person’s property or residential unit without permission.

C. The animal control officer may impound any cat or dog found in violation of this section.

(Ord. 1551; Ord. 1515)