Chapel Hill, NC Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 4-14(5) of the Chapel Hill Code declares a public nuisance out of any stray dog, meaning one off the premises of its custodian, found in a public place or on public property within town limits, unless that dog is under restraint. Section 4-1(g) spells out exactly what restraint means. A dog counts as restrained if it is inside or on a vehicle that is being driven or parked, if it is inside a secure enclosure, or if it is controlled by a chain, leash or similar device that is designed and placed to prevent choking, at least ten feet long, and either fitted with a swivel or run on a chain run when the dog is left unattended.

A dog is also considered restrained if it stays on the custodian's own premises and is attended by a competent person capable of controlling it. A related nuisance in the same section, Section 4-14(6), separately covers a dog left on the custodian's premises without any attending, competent handler at all, even if the dog never leaves the property. Once the animal control officer finds a Section 4-14 violation, the dog may be impounded and held subject to the redemption procedure elsewhere in Chapter 4, and the officer issues the custodian a citation under Chapel Hill's graduated civil penalty schedule for Section 4-14 nuisances.