Berkeley requires dogs on leash 6 feet or shorter in public under BMC 10.04, with designated off-leash areas at Ohlone Dog Park and Cesar Chavez Park, and strict enforcement.
Berkeley Municipal Code 10.04 requires all dogs in public areas to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under the control of a competent handler. Violations carry fines starting at 100 dollars. Off-leash dogs are permitted only in designated off-leash areas, including Ohlone Dog Park (Grant and Hearst), Cesar Chavez Park off-leash area, and the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline just outside city limits. Tilden Regional Park allows off-leash on designated trails only. Off-leash dogs at UC Berkeley campus, public beaches, and other parks result in citation. Dogs must also wear current license tags and rabies vaccination proof.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle dog leash laws.
See how Berkeley's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.