San Benito County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 13.01.020
- Leash limit
- Max 8 feet
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
- Exemptions
- Herding, field trials, hunting dogs
- Enforcement
- Poundmaster seizure and impoundment
Summary
In unincorporated San Benito County, dogs must be restrained by a leash, chain, strap, or cord no longer than eight feet, or kept on the owner's own premises, under the county's at-large ordinance.
All dogs shall be deemed running at large, within the meaning of this chapter, unless under restraint by a substantial leash, chain, strap or cord, not to exceed eight feet in length, attached to their collars and actually held by an able bodied person or made fast to some stationary object. The term "at large" shall mean off the premises of the owner and not under restraint. (HMC § 6.08.010)
(A) Any dog found at large may be seized and impounded or cited by the poundmaster. Private citizens may seize at large dogs if such dogs stray onto public or private property other than that of the dog's owner. (SBC §
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
San Benito County Code § 13.01.020 prohibits any dog from running at large on public streets, alleys, parks, schools, or another person's property without consent. A dog is "running at large" whenever it is off its owner's premises and not under restraint by a substantial leash, chain, strap, or cord not exceeding eight feet, attached to its collar and held by an able-bodied person or tied to a stationary object. The rule governs the unincorporated area; Hollister and San Juan Bautista enforce separate municipal leash ordinances. Dogs herding livestock, running an open-field trial, or hunting under voice control of the handler are exempted.
Violations & Fines
Any dog found at large may be seized and impounded by the poundmaster, or a citizen may seize it if it strayed onto property other than the owner's; fees apply for redemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a neighbor legally pick up my loose dog?
Does the leash law apply in Hollister?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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