In unincorporated Richland County, a dog off the owner's property must be under physical control by leash or similar restraint. Recent code updates treat a dog as at-large even on its own yard if the owner is not present with it. Cities like Columbia set their own leash rules.
Richland County's Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 (comprehensively rewritten by Ordinance 025-24HR, adopted July 16, 2024) governs animal restraint in the unincorporated county. Failure to exercise sufficient restraint necessary to control an animal is declared a nuisance under the code, and the county has tightened its interpretation so a dog is considered at-large if the owner is not outside with it even on the owner's own premises. Off-property, a dog must be under physical control by a leash or other similar restraining device. Enforcement is handled by Richland County Animal Services. Inside Columbia, Forest Acres, and Blythewood, the city's own animal chapter controls.
Handled as a nuisance/animal-control violation by Richland County Animal Services; impoundment plus fines. Owner must prove current rabies vaccination to reclaim an impounded pet.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Richland County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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