Charleston County, SC Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large ban
- Unlawful to let a dog or cat roam off-property
- Night tether ban
- No unattended tethering, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Minimum tether length
- 10 feet, or 4x dog's body length, whichever longer
- Chain weight limit
- Tether can't exceed 1/8 of dog's body weight
- Hunting exemption
- Hunting dogs exempt while actively hunting under supervision
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 30 days jail, § 1-8
Summary
Charleston County bans letting any dog or cat run at large off its owner's property, and imposes eight specific tethering restrictions under County Code § 3-11: no unattended tethering between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., minimum leash lengths tied to the dog's body size, and bans on chain weight, choke collars and pulley systems that could injure the dog.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any owner or custodian of any animal to permit same to run at large at any time upon streets or highways or properties other than his own property within the county... (d)No person shall restrain a dog by tethering the dog:(1)Unattended between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;(2)Unattended by a tether less than ten feet in length or less than four times the length of the dog's body from tip of the nose to the base of the tail, whichever is greater;(3)To a pulley, running line or trolley system that is less than 15 feet in length and/or more than seven feet above ground;(4)By a tether the length of which allows the dog to cross the property line of the property on which it is tethered;(5)Using a logging chain, tow chain, or other tether that weighs more than one-eighth of the dog's body weight or which causes injury to the dog;(6)By attaching a tether that does not have workable swivels on both ends to prevent twisting and tangling.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 3-11(a) makes it "unlawful for any owner or custodian of any animal to permit same to run at large at any time upon streets or highways or properties other than his own property within the county," tying the ban to the code's definition of "restraint" in § 3-1: confinement by fence, chain, leash or similar device on the owner's premises, or physical control by leash when off-property. " Section 3-11(c) separately requires any female dog or cat in heat to be confined so it cannot reach a male of its species. "
Violations & Fines
Violating the at-large or tethering restraint rules is enforced by animal control officers who may issue a summons under § 3-7(b), and a dog running at large may be impounded and transported to the shelter under § 3-5(a). Chapter 3 carries no separate leash-law fine, so a conviction falls under the county's general penalty at § 1-8: a fine up to $500.00 or up to 30 days in jail, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tether my dog in the yard overnight in Charleston County?
How long does my dog's tether have to be?
Is there an exception for hunting dogs off-leash?
What can happen if my dog is caught running at large?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston County
Compare Charleston County to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
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