Ventura County Dog Leash Laws

We love our dogs, and dog owners obviously understand that all dogs need fresh air, socialization and exercise in order to live happy lives. Therefore, bringing our dogs out into the world is something that we must do on a regular basis. It’s not uncommon to walk around in many areas of Ventura County and see nearly as many dogs out walking as people.

However, dog walking and their general exposure to the world at large requires management so that everyone remains safe. Ventura County leash laws exist to aid in this effort. Are you aware of what the leash laws are in your community? If not, this resource will help.

Animal Control

To ensure the safety of your dog, other people, pets, wildlife, and the community, Ventura County Animal Services enforces strict requirements that dogs be kept securely on a leash when off private property (with limited exceptions for designated areas). When owners fail to restrain their dogs properly, it can result in at-large incidents, potential injuries, bites, or enforcement actions like citations and impoundment. For a list of animal control locations, see our Ventura animal control laws page.

Below you’ll find a list of incorporated communities in Ventura County. Simply click on the one in which you have a question, and you’ll be taken to the appropriate leash law along with any relevant animals at large laws if available. Many communities have simply adopted the county leash ordinance, but others have adopted their own. You’ll find all of this statutory language below.

Ventura County Leash Law

The Ventura County leash law applies to all unincorporated communities in the county including the following areas, which have adopted this statute:

  • Oak Park
  • Oak View
  • Piru
  • Somis
  • Ventura

Ventura County Leash Law Text:

Article 5, Section 4461 – Leash law.

It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to be on any public street, alley, lane, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in the unincorporated areas of the County, or in any common area, unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

Section 4462 – Animals at large.

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession of any animal to permit it to be at large without reasonable control or to be pastured or kept upon any street or other public place, or common area, or upon any private property against the wishes of the owner or occupant thereof or in any manner or place to the injury of the owner or occupant of any other property. Every person who violates any of the provisions of this Section is guilty of a misdemeanor/infraction. An Animal Control Officer, as defined in Section 4493-2, may issue an administrative citation assessing a civil penalty to that person in accordance with, and the person shall be subject to the administrative enforcement provisions set forth in, Article 8.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

Camarillo Leash Law

Camarillo Leash Law Text:

Chapter 7.20, Section 7.20.010 – Leash law.

Except for parks which have been designated by the proper government agency as a dog park, no person may allow any dog owned by such person to be on any public street, alley, lane, park, or public place, unless such dog is securely fastened on a leash no longer than six feet and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog, or unless the dog is securely confined in a vehicle.

(Ord. No. 1193, § 3(Exh. A), 6-22-2022)

Section 7.20.020 – Animals at large.

No person owning or having possession of any animal may allow it to be at large without reasonable control or to be pastured or kept upon any street or other public place or upon any private property against the wishes of the owner or occupant of the property or in any manner or place to the injury of the owner or occupant of any other property. Any violation of this section constitutes a misdemeanor/infraction.

(Ord. No. 1193, § 3(Exh. A), 6-22-2022)

Fillmore Leash Law

Fillmore Leash Law Text:

Chapter 9.11, Section 11.010 – Leash law.

It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to be on any public street, alley, lane, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in the city unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 31, 5-24-2022)

Section 11.020 – Animals at large.

It is unlawful for any person owning or having possession of any animal to permit it to be at large without reasonable control or to be pastured or kept upon any street or other public place, or common area, or upon any private property against the wishes of the owner or occupant thereof or in any manner or place to the injury of the owner or occupant of any other property. Every person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor/infraction.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 32, 5-24-2022)

Moorpark Leash Law

Moorpark Leash Law Text:

Chapter 6, § 6.08.050 (A) – Leash law.

It is unlawful for any person that owns, harbors, or keeps any dog to tolerate, permit, or allow the dog to be unleashed, unless the dog is secured in a vehicle, or physically restrained in another humane manner of control. A leash shall be held continuously in the hand of a responsible person capable of controlling the dog. This leash requirement applies whenever the dog is on public or private property including on any public street, alley, lane, park, greenbelt, trail, or place of whatever nature that is open to and used by the public, except in any dog park when such dog and owner or keeper are in compliance with the requirements of this code with respect to use of dog parks.

(Ord. 504 § 2, 2022)

§ 6.08.050 (B)

It is unlawful for any person that owns, harbors, or keeps any dog to tolerate, permit, or allow the dog to be on any private property in the city without the permission of the person owning or occupying the private property.

(Ord. 504 § 2, 2022)

Ojai Leash Law

Ojai Leash Law Text:

Title 5, § 5-4.501 – Leash law.

It shall be unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to be on any public street, alley, lane, park, common area, or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in the City unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog, or unless the dog is securely confined in a vehicle.

(§ 2, Ord. 422, eff. April 23, 1971, as amended by § 4, Ord. 933, eff. September 23, 2022)

§ 5-4.502 – Animals at large.

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having the possession of any animal to permit it to be at large without reasonable control or to be pastured or kept upon any street or other public place or upon any private property against the wishes of the owner or occupant thereof or in any manner or place to the injury of the owner or occupant of any other property.

(§ 2, Ord. 422, eff. April 23, 1971, as amended by § 4, Ord. 933, eff. September 23, 2022)

Oxnard Leash Law

Oxnard Leash Law Text:

Article II, Sec. 5-42 – Dog leashing required.

No person shall permit any dog owned, harbored or controlled by that person to be on any public beach, street, sidewalk, alley, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public unless the dog is securely leashed, and the leash is continuously controlled by a responsible person capable of controlling such dog or unless such dog is securely confined in a motor vehicle.

(`64 Code, Sec. 5-24) (Ord. No. 735, 2318)

Port Hueneme Leash Law

Port Hueneme Leash Law Text:

Article III, Chapter 1, Section 3007 (a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled to be on any public street, alley, lane, park or place of whatever nature open to and use by the public in the City of Port Hueneme unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog, securely confined in a vehicle or within an off-leash dog area that has been established by ordinance.

(Ord. 607 § A, 1996)

(Ord. No. 824, § 2(Exh. A), 3-3-25)

Section 3007 (b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled to be on any private property in the City of Hueneme without the permission of the person owning or occupying said private property.

(Ord. 607 § A, 1996)

(Ord. No. 824, § 2(Exh. A), 3-3-25)

Santa Paula Leash Law

Santa Paula Leash Law Text:

Chapter 91, § 91.20 – Dogs running at large prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, custody, possession or control of any dog to cause, permit or allow the dog to run at large in or upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place, or in or upon any private property or premises, other than those of the person owning or having charge, custody, possession or control of the dog within the city, unless the dog is restrained by a leash or chain six feet or less in fixed length and is in charge, custody, possession or control of a competent person.

(Ord. 1224, passed 2-16-10)

Simi Valley Leash Law

Simi Valley Leash Law Text:

Article 5, Section 4461 – Leash law.

It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to be on any public street, alley, lane, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in the unincorporated areas of the County, or in any common area, unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog.

ORDINANCE NO. 1337, 2021

Section 4462 – Animals at Large

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession of any animal to permit it to be at large without reasonable control or to be pastured or kept upon any street or other public place, or common area, or upon any private property against the wishes of the owner or occupant thereof or in any manner or place to the injury of the owner or occupant of any other property. Every person who violates any of the provisions of this Section is guilty of a misdemeanor/infraction.

ORDINANCE NO. 1337, 2021

Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park Leash Law

Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park Leash Law Text:

Thousand Oaks’ leash law applies to both Thousand Oaks and the incorporated portions of Newbury Park. Each community has adopted the text of Los Angeles County.

The Leash Law (10.32.010)

Prohibits dogs from running at large on any public street, park or other public areas or upon private property other than that of the dog owner. A dog must be restrained by a substantial leash not exceeding six feet and be in the control of a competent person when off property.

Mandatory Rules (Ordinance No. 2020-0001)

Westlake Village Leash Law

Westlake Village Leash Law Text:

Westlake Village is split between Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. As such, the city has adopted the Los Angeles County statute for dog leash requirements.

Section 10.32.010

The City of Westlake Village requires that all dogs must be kept on a leash and under control of their owners at all times when in any area accessible to the public. This includes public parks, schools, streets, and private common areas.

ORDINANCE NO. 306-24