Kern County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- KCC § 7.08.150
- Leash Required
- On public property
- License Age
- Dogs 4 months and older
- Animal Services
- (661) 868-7100
- State Law
- Food & Ag Code §30951
Summary
Kern County requires dogs to be leashed and controlled, or confined, on public property and other people's land under KCC § 7.08.150; off-leash is allowed only on the owner's secured property. Dogs 4 months and older must be licensed.
Cal. Food & Agric. Code § 30951 (verbatim): 'It is unlawful for any person to own, harbor, or keep any dog over the age of four months which does not bear upon it a substantial collar on which one of the following is fastened: (a) A metallic tag which gives the name and post office address of the owner. (b) A metal license tag which is issued by the authority of a county, city and county, or any municipal corporation.' Kern County implementation, per Kern County Animal Services: 'A "Leash Law" exists that makes it illegal for an owner to allow their dog to be on private property of another person or on public property without consent. All dogs are required to be restrained to protect persons, other animals, and property from damage. In particular, dogs shall be restrained by a leash and under the immediate control of the handler or confined within an enclosed pen when on public property, unless the officer in charge of the property has consented to the owner exercising another form of restraint.'
Full Breakdown
Kern County's leash law, KCC § 7.08.150, is direct: on public property or anyone else's land, your dog must be leashed and under control, or confined. The only place off-leash is legal is your own secured property. Licensing runs alongside, dogs 4 months and older must be licensed, consistent with state law (Food & Ag Code §30951). Dogs found at large are impounded by Kern County Animal Services, and reclaiming one means paying impound, boarding, license and vaccination fees. Questions or loose-dog reports go to Animal Services at (661) 868-7100.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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