Arcadia, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 4123 of the Arcadia Municipal Code bars any person who owns or has charge, care, custody or control of a dog from letting it be or run at large on any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place. The bar also covers private property other than the premises of the person in charge of the dog. The way to be off the owner's premises with a dog is to keep it on a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length while it is in the charge, care, custody or control of a competent person. A lead longer than six feet does not fit the wording.

Section 4123.1 carves out three situations. First, dogs are allowed to run at large in areas designated by resolution of the City Council within City-owned parks, and only when signs are posted in those parks allowing it. Second, dogs are allowed to run at large on the premises of the owner or the person in charge of them. Third, dogs other than unspayed female dogs during the copulative season are allowed to run at large on undeveloped property with the permission of its owner, but only when no more than five residential or commercial establishments, other than the keeper's residence, sit within a radius of five hundred feet. That exception was amended by Ord. 2193, adopted 6-15-04.

Several related duties travel with the leash rule. Section 4124.1 prohibits harboring an unlicensed dog over four months of age, and Section 4124.3 requires the license tag to sit on a collar, harness or other device worn at all times except while the dog is indoors or in an enclosed yard or pen. Section 4122 requires rabies vaccination of any dog over four months old by the later of fifteen days after acquiring it or fifteen days after bringing it into the City. Section 4127 prohibits letting a dog's excrement stay longer than five minutes in a public park, on a sidewalk or parkway, or on improved or occupied private property without the owner's or occupant's consent. A dog later declared vicious and dangerous faces a tighter rule under Section 4128.5: off its premises only on a substantial leash of appropriate length under a responsible adult. Under Section 4113.19, an impounded animal not redeemed within five days can be destroyed, sold or given to a governmental entity.