Boynton Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

City Code Sec. 4-32 makes it unlawful for an owner, keeper, or harborer of any dog, cat, household pet, or other animal to let the animal off the owner's private property unless it is under the restraint or control of a competent person using a chain, leash, cage, or other humane restraint; the section further requires that all dogs, cats, and household pets be securely confined to the owner's real property. A companion provision, Sec. 4-31, bans letting a dog or cat run at large on any City street, boulevard, road, or alley unless an attendant holds it firmly by collar and leash, and caps that leash at 8 feet.

The two sections work together: an animal off its own property without a competent handler and adequate restraint is both 'at large' under Sec. 4-31 and unrestrained under Sec. 4-32. Sec. 4-33 adds that an owner is liable if an unleashed or leashed animal damages City or private property, including leaving fecal matter, and must immediately clean it up or face a fine under Sec. 2-91. Leashed dogs may enter four specific city parks, Jaycee Park, Boynton Lakes Park, Dewey Park, and Intracoastal Park, excluding restroom and playground areas, but only if the dog is at least four months old, current on vaccinations and licensing under Secs.

4-30, 4-36 and 4-37, and kept on a leash no longer than 8 feet; any dog off that leash in a park is deemed at large under Sec. 4-31. Violations of the leash and at-large rules are civil infractions under Sec. 00 surcharge, and the animal is subject to impoundment under Sec. 4-19.