Brooklyn Park, MN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length
- Maximum 8 feet
- At-large ban
- No animal off restraint, § 92.03
- Off-leash exception
- City-designated exercise areas only
- Service animals
- Exempt during disability-related tasks
- Enforcer
- Animal Control Officer
Summary
In the City of Brooklyn Park, no dog may run at large: § 92.03 requires every dog on a street, public park, school ground or public place to be effectively restrained by a chain or leash no longer than eight feet. Dogs may run off-leash only in a designated off-leash exercise area or when performing a disability-related task.
No person shall permit an animal to be at large in this city, but must keep such animal under restraint at all times. No person having custody or control of any animal shall permit the same to be on any unfenced area or lot abutting upon a street, public park, public place or upon any private land without being effectively restrained from moving beyond such unfenced area or lot; nor shall any person having custody or control of any animal permit the same at any time to be on any street, public park, school ground or any public place without being effectively restrained by chain or leash not exceeding eight feet in length. A dog may be unrestrained by a chain or leash in an off leash dog exercise area, subject to the rules and regulations for such an area. Service animals may be allowed off leash in the performance of a disability-related task.
Full Breakdown
03, last amended by Ord. 2022-1269 in January 2022, is Brooklyn Park's core at-large law: no person may permit an animal to be at large in the city, and every owner must keep an animal under restraint at all times. On any unfenced area or lot next to a street, public park or private land, the animal must be effectively restrained from moving beyond that area; on any street, public park, school ground or other public place, it must be effectively restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding eight feet in length.
' The ordinance carves out two exceptions: a dog may run unrestrained inside a city-designated off-leash dog exercise area, subject to that area's own rules, and a service animal may go off-leash while performing a disability-related task. 05 makes it unlawful to keep a dog whose barking unreasonably disturbs neighbors. 03 citywide.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog run at large in violation of § 92.03 is a misdemeanor under the city's general penalty, § 10.99: up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine, with each day of ongoing violation a separate offense. Brooklyn Park may instead issue an administrative citation carrying a civil penalty of up to $2,000 under § 37.03, with 14 days to pay or appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog's leash be in Brooklyn Park?
Can my dog be off-leash in my own yard?
Is there anywhere dogs can legally run off-leash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brooklyn Park
Compare Brooklyn Park to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hennepin County handle dog leash laws.