Albany, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 115-2
- Leash requirement
- Collar and leash at all times
- Park control standard
- Within sight, immediate restraint
- First offense penalty
- Up to $35 civil fine
- Exempt dogs
- Service, police, performance dogs
Summary
Albany requires every dog to be restrained by a collar and leash at all times, with stricter control rules inside city parks except Hoffman Park.
Pursuant to the authority granted to the City of Albany by Article 7 of the New York Agriculture and Markets Law, it shall be unlawful for any owner of, or any person harboring, any dog in the City of Albany to permit or allow such dog to: Run at large. All dogs are to be restrained by an adequate collar and leash, except that within the parks in the City of Albany, not including Hoffman Park, all dogs shall be so restrained or under the control of its owner or responsible person over 12 years of age.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873446; v61 updated 2026-03-18; through 03-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 115-2 makes it unlawful for any owner or person harboring a dog in Albany to let it run at large. Every dog must be restrained by an adequate collar and leash; inside city parks other than Hoffman Park, dogs must be leashed or kept under an owner's direct control, meaning within sight and subject to immediate restraint. The rule sits under Article 7 of the New York Agriculture and Markets Law, which the Common Council cites as its authority. Dogs assisting people with disabilities and police or performance dogs are exempt from some of these restrictions under § 115-2.1.
Violations & Fines
Violating the leash and at-large rules is a civil offense under § 115-4, punishable by a fine up to $35, rising to $65 for a repeat violation within five years and $125 for a third.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albany
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Albany County handle dog leash laws.