Centennial, CO Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length
- Max 10 feet, hand-held
- Applies
- Any street, public place, private land
- Tethering
- Banned off owner's property
- First offense fine
- $50
- Repeat offense
- $100 minimum, court mandatory
Summary
Dogs must be leashed on a cord no longer than ten feet whenever off the owner's property in Centennial: running at large or unauthorized tethering is a fineable offense under Sec. 7-7-410.
(a)It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to permit the same to run or go or be at large on any street or public place within the City or upon the premises of any other person without permission of such other person, unless the dog is accompanied by a person and is under control, as such term is defined in this Section, or unless the dog is upon the premises of a dog park for which the City has issued a Dog Park Development permit pursuant to Section 12-14-508.(b)For purposes of this Section, control shall mean that the dog is on a leash, cord or chain not more than ten (10) feet in length held by a person of sufficient age, size and physical ability to restrain the animal.(c)It shall be unlawful to tether any animal on any property other than that of the owner or keeper without permission of the property owner or occupant or to allow any animal tethered on the property of the owner or keeper to have access to property other than that of the animal owner or keeper.(d)In addition to any other remedy provided by the City to prohibit the running at large of dogs, any dog running at large may be seized and impounded in accordance with this Article. (Ord. 2009-O-07 §1; Ord. 2019-O-28 §2)
Full Breakdown
Centennial Municipal Code § 7-7-410 makes it unlawful for a dog to run or be at large on any street, public place, or another person's property without permission, unless a person accompanies and controls it. 'Control' is defined narrowly: the dog must be on a leash, cord, or chain no more than ten feet long, held by someone capable of restraining it. The section also bars tethering an animal on another's property without permission, or letting a tethered animal on the owner's property reach beyond it. Dogs found at large may be seized and impounded by an animal control or law enforcement officer under the Article's impoundment provisions.
Violations & Fines
First offense $50, second offense within two years $75, and $100 minimum for further offenses within two years, each with a mandatory court appearance, under Sec. 7-7-170(e).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can my dog's leash be in Centennial?
What's the fine for a dog running at large?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Centennial
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