Santa Cruz County Dog Leash Laws
Owning dogs is a labor of love, and it’s more than worth it. Dogs are loyal companions, part of the family, and they bring enormous joy to those with whom they share their lives. They also require constant, daily care, including feeding, grooming, loving and of course exercising. Dogs need to go out and walk every day.
When we do this, we need to keep our dogs safe. That’s why communities have dog leash and running at large laws. Santa Cruz County has a series of dog leash and running at large laws in place in its communities. If you’d like to know what yours is, click on the appropriate name from the list of incorporated communities below to be taken to the statutory text in place and a link for more information.
Santa Cruz County Dog Leash Laws
The Santa Cruz dog leash laws apply to the unincorporated areas of the county.
Santa Cruz County Dog Leash Law Text:
Title 6, Section 6.12.010 Dogs at large prohibited.
(A) It is unlawful for the owner of any dog, licensed or not, to permit or allow such dog to be at large anywhere in the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County when there is reasonable cause to believe that the dog has caused or is likely to cause harm to persons or property, or other nuisances such as urinating, defecating, dumping garbage, digging, or making noise on the property of others.
(B) The owner of any dog found in violation as described above may be contacted by an animal control officer or peace officer and issued a citation for the violation. If the owner is not present, and there is no reasonable way to secure the dog to the owner’s property to prevent subsequent violations, it may be impounded. If a dog is impounded from the property where the owner is not present, a notice of such impound will be left with information about the nature of the impound, the name and address of the impounding agency, and an indication of the ultimate disposition of the dog if it is not reclaimed within a specified period of time.
[Ord. 5388 § 4, 2022].
Section 6.12.020 Leash required for dogs off premises.
It is unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be away from the premises of its owner at any time if not under actual physical restraint and control, such as a leash, tether, or in the grasp of a person.
[Ord. 5388 § 4, 2022].
Santa Cruz Dog Leash Laws
Santa Cruz Dog Leash Laws Text:
Chapter 8, Section 8.14.310 PROHIBITION AGAINST PERMITTING DOGS AT LARGE.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be at large anywhere in the city of Santa Cruz. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a dog entered in a dog show or field trial and under reasonable control.
(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).
Section 8.14.320 LEASH REQUIRED FOR DOGS OFF PREMISES.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be away from the premises of its owner at any time if not securely restrained by a leash as defined in Section 8.04.010(j).
(Ord. 2011-08 § 6, 2011: Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).
Section 8.04.010 DEFINITION OF TERMS.
(j) “Leash” shall mean a device specifically manufactured, sold, designed and intended to lead or restrain animals that takes the form of a line or cord composed of leather, rope or similar strong and durable material with a clip that attaches to the animal’s collar.
(Ord. 2011-08 § 1, 2011: Ord. 88-63 § 1, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 70-7 (part), 1970).
Watsonville Dog Leash Laws
Watsonville Dog Leash Laws Text:
Title 6, Chapter 1, Section 6-1.414 Leash required.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or harboring or having the charge, care, control, or possession of any dog to allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or not, to be upon a public street, sidewalk, park, school ground, public place, or any unenclosed lot or land, except when held under restraint by leash.
(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)
“Leash” shall mean a line, cable, chain, cord, or rope, not more than six (6′) feet in length, capable of being fastened to the collar or harness of a dog or animal for the purposes of restraint and control.
(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)
Capitola Dog Leash Laws
Capitola Dog Leash Laws Text:
6.14.310 Prohibition against permitting dogs at large.
It is unlawful for the guardian of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be at large anywhere in the city. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a dog entered in a dog show or field trial and which is under reasonable control of its guardian.
(Ord. 912 § 2, 2006)
Unless a dog is under restraint by leash or chain no longer than six feet in length or confined within an automobile, no person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of that dog shall cause or permit such dog to be in or upon: any public street, alley or other public place; in or upon any unenclosed lot or premises; or in or upon any other private property posted with signs prohibiting off-leash dogs.
(Ord. 915 § 1, 2007; Ord. 912 § 2, 2006)
Scotts Valley Running at Large Law
Scotts Valley Running at Large Law Text:
Title 6, Chapter 6.16, Section 6.16.010 – Prohibition against permitting dogs at large.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be at large anywhere in the city. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(1) a dog at large on any ranch or similar undeveloped property with permission of the property owner; and (2) a dog entered in a dog show or field trials, and under the reasonable control of a competent person.
(Ord. 86.2 § 1 (part), 1987)
