Cambridge, MA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing officials
- Director of Animal Commission, Park Rangers
- Leash/cord max length
- 6 feet
- Reclaim window after impound
- 7 days
- Leash violation fine
- $25 per offense
- Off-leash areas
- Designated parks only, 3-dog max
Summary
Cambridge bars dogs from running at large off their owner's property, and any dog off the owner's or a consenting neighbor's premises must be controlled on a chain, rope or cord no longer than six feet. Loose dogs are impounded, and owners face a twenty-five-dollar fine plus every cost of confinement.
No person owning or keeping a dog shall permit it to be at large other than on his or her own premises; if it be on the premises of another person, it shall be with the knowledge and permission of such other person. The owner, keeper or person having custody of a dog which is not on the premises of the owner or upon the premises of another person with the knowledge and permission of such person shall keep the dog under control by means of a chain, rope or cord not exceeding six feet in length of sufficient strength to control the actions of such dog.
Full Breakdown
030(A) makes it unlawful for anyone owning or keeping a dog to let it run at large off the owner's own premises; if the dog is on someone else's property, it must be there with that owner's knowledge and permission. ' Subsection B makes a loose dog found off its owner's property presumptive evidence the owner never had the other property owner's permission. Subsection C directs the Director of the Animal Commission, or a Park Ranger, to catch and confine any dog found at large and to notify the owner by phone, a note left at the residence, or certified mail; the owner then has seven days to reclaim the dog and must pay all costs of its care and confinement.
040 carves out an exception for city-designated off-leash dog parks, but only during park operating hours, only up to three dogs per owner at once, and only for dogs that are not in heat, not wearing prong or choke collars, and not declared vicious.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the leash and restraint requirement is punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars for each offense under § 6.04.120, on top of any costs of care and confinement the city incurs impounding the dog and any other amounts allowed by law. An owner who ignores a Police Officer's request for identification after being observed violating this section is subject to arrest under § 6.04.110.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cambridge require dogs to be leashed?
What happens if my dog is caught running loose in Cambridge?
Are there off-leash areas in Cambridge?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cambridge
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle dog leash laws.