Sacramento County Dog Leash Laws

Dogs become part of the family when we bring them home, which means that they become part of our lives. As such, we tend to bring them with us to a lot of places, and of course, they need daily exercise to maintain their health. When we do bring our dogs into the world, we need to make sure that they are on a leash and secure for obvious safety reasons. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen, and that can create problems.

Here you’ll find information regarding leash laws in Sacramento County. If you’re unsure of what the laws are in your community, simply click on the city below, and you’ll be taken to the laws that apply where you are at the time.

Sacramento County Communities

Click on a city below to see the applicable leash law information.

Sacramento County Dog Leash Laws

Governing all incorporated communities in Sacramento County, including:

Isleton

Sacramento city limits

Sacramento County Dog Leash Law Text:

Title 8, § 8.08.056 Dogs at Large.

No person shall permit or suffer a dog to stray from private property owned or legally possessed by the dog owner or the person who has a right to control the dog unless the dog is restrained by a leash or lead not exceeding eight feet in length, except in the following situations:

1.  When the dog is assisting a peace officer who is engaged in law enforcement duties or when the dog is participating in a search and rescue effort at the specific request of a law enforcement authority;

2. When the dog is enrolled in and actually participating in a dog training or obedience course, exhibition, or competition conducted by an organization on private or public property with the permission of the owner or operator of the grounds or facilities;

3. When the dog is assisting the owner or person in charge of livestock in the herding or control of such livestock; or

4. When the dog is accompanying and under the direction of a person engaged in hunting on land which is within a restricted shooting district as defined in Section 9.40.060 of the Sacramento County Code.

(SCC 544 § 3, 1983; SCC 576 § 9, 1983; SCC 0815 § 2, 1990)

Citrus Heights Dogs at Large Law

Citrus Heights Dogs at Large Law Text:

Chapter 8, Article II, Sec. 8-46 – Dogs at Large.

No person shall permit or suffer a dog to stray from private property owned or legally possessed by the dog owner or the person who has a right to control the dog unless the dog is restrained by a leash or lead not exceeding eight feet in length, except in the following situations:

1. When the dog is assisting a peace officer who is engaged in law enforcement duties or when the dog is participating in a search and rescue effort at the specific request of a law enforcement authority;

2. When the dog is enrolled in and actually participating in a dog training or obedience course, exhibition, or competition conducted by an organization on private or public property with the permission of the owner or operator of the grounds or facilities; or

3. When the dog is assisting the owner or person in charge of livestock in the herding or control of such livestock.

(Ord. No. 2012-002, § 1, 2-9-2012)

Elk Grove Dogs Running at Large Law

Elk Grove Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Title 8, Chapter 8.02.060 Dog running at large prohibited.

No person owning any dog, or having the care, custody, control, or possession of any dog shall suffer, allow, or permit such dog to run, be, or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, school, or other public place or upon any private property other than the property of the owner or custodian of such dog without the consent of the owner of such property, within the corporate limits of the City; and all dogs may be deemed running at large within the meaning of this section unless tied or restrained by chain, strap or cord, not to exceed six (6′ 0″) feet in length, attached to their collars and actually held by some person, or staked away from the public walkway or thoroughfare. Any such restraining device shall be of sufficient strength as to prevent being broken, severed, or otherwise rendered ineffective by the weight and/or strength of the dog; and every dog found running at large in violation of the provisions of this section shall be immediately seized and impounded. Upon the second (2nd) impoundment for running at large the animal shall be required to be spayed/neutered. The cost will be paid for by the owner of the animal. For purposes of this section, any dog in or upon any vehicle shall be deemed to be on the premises of the operator thereof. Violation of this provision shall constitute an infraction which shall be enforced pursuant to the provisions of EGMC Chapter 1.04.

[Ord. 4-2013 §2, eff. 4-12-2013; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 48-2008 §3, eff. 11-7-2008]

Folsom Running at Large Law

Folsom Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 7, Section 7.04.040 Running at large prohibited—Impoundment.

Except in a designated dog park, no person shall allow or permit his or her dog to be or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, school, or other public place or upon any private property other than the property of the owner or custodian of such dog without the consent of the owner of such property, within the corporate limits of the city. An animal services officer may seize and impound any dog found running at large, and, except as otherwise set forth herein, such animals will be impounded at the city’s animal shelter. Violation of this section shall constitute an infraction.

(Ord. 1120 § 2 (part), 2009)

Galt Running at Large Law

Galt Running at Large Law Text:

Title 6, Section 6.04.040 Running at large prohibited and impoundment.

A. Except in a designated dog park, no person shall allow or permit his or her dog to be or remain at large within the corporate limits of the City on any public street, road, alley, park, square, school, or other public place or upon any private property other than the property of the owner or custodian of such dog without the consent of the owner of such property.

B. No person owning or having the care, custody, control or possession of any dog shall allow or permit such dog to be at large beyond the boundaries of the property upon which such dog is kept.

C. An animal services officer may seize and impound any dog found running at large, and, except as otherwise set forth herein, such animals will be impounded at the Sacramento County Animal Shelter or other animal shelter designated by the City.

(Ord. 2015-10, Repealed and Replaced, 01/19/16)

Rancho Cordova Animal Restraint Law

Rancho Cordova Animal Restraint Law Text:

Title 8, Section 8.03.010 Animal restraint.

A. No owner of any animal, wild or domestic, except the domestic cat, shall permit or suffer the animal to:

1. Be off a leash or be restrained by a leash which is more than eight feet in length. An animal need not be on a leash while it is on the premises of its owner nor while on other private property with consent of the owner. This subsection shall apply to all areas of the city unless clearly designated as areas where leashes are not required.

2. Enter upon private property without consent of the private property’s owner.

[Ord. 3-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 20-2014 § 2; Ord. 4-2007 § 2]