Charleston, WV Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 10-161
- First offense fine
- up to $50
- Repeat offense fine
- $50 to $500
- Downtown exception
- leash required regardless
- Off-leash allowed
- designated dog park only
Summary
Charleston bans letting a dog run at large: any dog off its owner's property without a leash or chain under direct physical control violates Sec. 10-161, with exceptions for fenced yards, electronic containment, and the off-leash dog park.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own or keep a dog which is at any time running at large in the city. Knowledge or acquiescence by the owner or keeper is not an element of the offense. A dog shall be deemed to be running at large if it is, for any period of time, off the premises of its owner's or keeper's property and not firmly attached to a leash or chain under the owner's or keeper's direct physical control...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 10-161, a dog is 'running at large' any time it is off its owner's or keeper's property and not firmly attached to a leash or chain under the owner's or keeper's direct physical control: knowledge or intent doesn't matter. In the central business district (downtown), dogs on the public right-of-way must be on a leash or chain even if wearing an electronic containment collar. Exceptions apply for dogs inside a fenced yard or closed structure with permission, wearing an operating electronic containment collar outside downtown, or off-leash inside the city's designated dog park. Trained service dogs for disabled or visually impaired handlers are also exempt.
Violations & Fines
Fines run up to $50 for a first offense within a 24-month period, and $50 to $500 for a second or subsequent offense in that period; the municipal court judge may suspend or reduce the fine if the owner forfeits the dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in my fenced yard in Charleston?
What's the fine for a dog running at large in Charleston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
Compare Charleston to another location·View the West Virginia animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.