Yolo County Dog Leash Laws

When we own dogs, we incorporate them into our lives. Where we go, they often go, and even aside from that, everyone understands that dogs need daily exercise to maintain their health and happiness. While this is often a fun and rewarding experience, we also need to keep them and everyone they encounter safe. That’s why we have leash and running at large laws.

ANIMAL CONTROL

To ensure the safety of your dog, other people, pets, wildlife, and the community, Yolo County Animal Services enforces strict requirements that dogs be kept securely on a leash when off private property (with limited exceptions for designated off-leash 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 more on animal control services and related information, see our Yolo County Animal Control page.

Below you’ll find a list of incorporated municipalities in Yolo County. If you’d like to see the law or laws that govern your location, click on the appropriate city and you’ll be taken to the text of the appropriate Yolo County dog leash laws as well as to links that provide you with more information.

Yolo County Dog Leash Laws

The Yolo County dog leash laws govern the unincorporated areas of the county. These laws also govern:

Davis
Winters

Yolo County Running at Large Law Text:

Article 4, Sec. 6-1.401. Animals running at large.

The territory to which the provisions of this chapter shall apply is hereby fixed as the limits within which animals shall not run at large, and no owner shall permit his animal, wild or domestic, except a domestic cat, to run at large within the territory to which the provisions of this chapter apply.

(§ 2, Ord. 703, eff. May 22, 1974)

Sec. 6-1.401.1. Dogs on leashes.

No owner shall permit his dog to be in any area, other than on private property where the dog is maintained by or on behalf of its owner, unless the dog is restrained by a leash not exceeding eight (8’) feet in length; provided, however, this section shall not apply if the dog is (1) assisting a peace officer in law enforcement duties, (2) under the control of a person engaged in hunting pursuant to a license issued under Sections 3031 et seq. Of the Fish and Game Code of the State, (3) enrolled and actually participating in a dog training or obedience class, exhibition, or competition conducted by an organization with the permission of the owner or operator of the grounds or facility, or (4) actively herding on an agriculturally zoned parcel.

(§ 1, Ord. 949, eff. May 26, 1983, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1365, eff. December 6, 2007)

West Sacramento Dog Leash Laws

West Sacramento Dogs on Leashes Law Text:

Chapter 6, § 6.16.020Dogs on leashes.

A. No owner shall permit his or her dog to be in any residential, commercial or industrial area, other than on private property where the dog is maintained by or on behalf of its owner, unless the dog is restrained by a leash not exceeding eight feet in length; provided, however, this section does not apply if the dog is (1) assisting a peace officer in law enforcement duties, (2) under the control of a person engaged in hunting pursuant to a license issued under Section 3031 et seq., of the Fish and Game Code of the state, or (3) enrolled and actually participating in a dog training or obedience class, exhibition or competition conducted by an organization with the permission of the owner or operator of the grounds or facility.

B. As used in this section, “residential, commercial or industrial area” means any R-, C-, M- and PD- (except agricultural parcel) zoned parcel located in whole or in part within the city limits of the city.

(County code § 6-1.401.1; Ord. 89-14 § 7 (part); Ord. 03-21 § 1 (part))

Woodland Dog Leash Law

Woodland Dog Leash Law Text:

Title 6, § 6.04.020City amendment to the County animal control ordinance.

A. Section 6-1.401.1 Dogs on Leashes: Dog Parks. Dogs on Leashes. No owner or bailee of a dog shall permit such dog to be within the limits of the City other than on private property with the consent of the property owner, unless the dog is restrained by a leash not exceeding eight feet in length; provided, however, that this section shall not apply: (1) if the dog is assisting a peace officer in law enforcement duties, (2) if the dog is participating in a dog training class, obedience class, exhibition, or competition that is being conducted at that location with the permission of the City, or (3) the dog is in a park designated as an “Off- Leash Dog Park” by City Council.