Anaheim, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- AMC Sec. 13.08.020(.010)
- Leash length limit
- Six feet or less in public parks
- Dog Park exception
- Off-leash allowed in designated Dog Parks (Ch. 13.14)
- Applies to
- All City-maintained dedicated parks and parkways
- Penalty
- Criminal infraction under Government Code Sec. 36900
- Citywide animal control
- Separately governed by adopted OC ordinances, Ch. 8.24
Summary
Anaheim requires dogs in its public parks to stay on a leash, chain or other restraint no longer than six feet, with narrow carve-outs for the City's designated Dog Parks and for horses on certain trail-linked Special Use Parks. AMC Section 13.08.020 bans letting any animal run loose in a park, and a leash violation there can be charged as a criminal infraction.
To bring, leave, hitch, fasten, lead, drive or turn loose or allow to go free any animal or fowl of any kind; provided that this shall not apply to dogs held on a leash, chain or other restraint not more than six feet long, nor to dogs within a Dog Park as further defined under Chapter 13.14 hereof, nor to any horse when hitched, fastened or led within any City of Anaheim park that links with the County of Orange EMA Harbors, Beaches and Parks Master Plan of Trail Systems (“Special Use Parks”)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-28: Code: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026 | Zoning: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
020, the chapter governing conduct in all dedicated parks and planted parkways the City maintains. " "Public parks" for purposes of the chapter means all dedicated parks and all planted parkways, triangles and traffic circles the City maintains, though not the parkway strips between curb and sidewalk along ordinary streets. The section also bars riding or driving a horse or other animal, or operating a vehicle, cycle or automobile, inside a park, except for equestrians and non-motorized bicyclists in a Special Use Park. 24, but the six-foot leash standard for park use is set directly by the City's own park-conduct chapter rather than by the County code.
Violations & Fines
Most violations of Section 13.08.020, including letting a dog run loose off-leash in a park, are charged as a criminal infraction, punishable by the fine schedule in Government Code Section 36900. A short list of other park violations, covering conduct like smoking or unpermitted alcohol, may instead be filed as either an infraction or a misdemeanor at the City Attorney's discretion, but the base dog-at-large prohibition carries the standard infraction penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog's leash be in an Anaheim park?
Are there off-leash areas in Anaheim parks?
What is the penalty for an unleashed dog in an Anaheim park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anaheim
California rules heatmap·Compare Anaheim to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle dog leash laws.