Arlington Heights, IL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 16-210, "Leashes," provides: "It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog to allow the dog to go upon any public street, alley or sidewalk or other public place unless the dog is securely on a leash." Section 16-102 defines the required equipment: a "Leash" is "a strong cord, thong or chain, not more than eight feet in length." The leash rule works alongside Chapter 16's nuisance article: Section 16-401(a) separately makes it unlawful "to allow any animal to run at large in the Village at any time," and Section 16-401(c) goes further for public parks, barring any dog or cat from entering "whether or not such dog and/or cat is restrained by a leash." Dog owners must also keep rabies vaccination current under Section 16-204, which requires "a substantial collar" bearing "a current metallic tag signifying a rabies inoculation within the last year." A dog found off-leash in a public place, or running at large, can be impounded as an "uncontrolled animal" under Section 16-108, and the owner must pay a $25.00 impoundment fee plus any facility charges before the dog is released.

Violations of the leash requirement are punished under the Chapter 16 penalty schedule in Section 16-501(a): a minimum fine of $25.00 per offense, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation, settled before the hearing date or processed through Administrative Adjudication under Chapter 18, Article VIII.