Auburn, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

ACC 6.02.040(A) sets Auburn's leash requirement: once a dog leaves its owner's or custodian's premises, it must be controlled by a leash or chain no more than eight feet long, with control exercised by the owner, custodian, or another competent and authorized person; failing to control the dog this way is a violation. The definitions section, ACC 6.01.010, defines 'at large' as off the premises of the owner and not under restraint by a leash or chain eight feet or shorter, tying the leash length directly into the at-large offense in ACC 6.02.010.

Exceptions exist under ACC 6.02.010(B): the leash rule does not apply in areas the city designates as off-leash, when off-leash activity is authorized under a special events permit, or when a public property owner has authorized off-leash activity on their own property. A leashed dog that still chases vehicles (ACC 6.02.050) or jumps at or threatens pedestrians (ACC 6.02.080) faces separate violations layered on top of any leash violation, and any dog off leash may be seized and impounded under the general at-large authority in ACC 6.01.030.