Charlottesville, VA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large ban
- citywide, at all times, even if licensed
- Mandatory-leash areas
- parks, Greenway Trail, Downtown Mall, schools, cemeteries
- Voice-control exception
- sterilized dog under immediate voice control only
- First offense penalty
- Class 4 misdemeanor
- Repeat offense penalty
- Class 3 misdemeanor, 3rd-4th conviction, same dog
Summary
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, dogs cannot run at large anywhere in the city at any time under § 4-38, even if licensed and vaccinated. Section 4-40 additionally requires a leash in city parks, the Greenway Trail System, Meadow Creek Golf Course, the Downtown Mall, public school property and city cemeteries.
(a)It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow such dog to run at large, at any time, within the city, even though the dog is both lawfully licensed and vaccinated. ... (a)Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, dogs shall be kept on a leash and under control:(1)In all city parks (except for designated off-leash areas);(2)On the city's Greenway Trail System;(3)On the Meadow Creek Golf Course;(4)On the Downtown Pedestrian Mall between the Ninth Street bridge and Ridge-McIntire Road, and on all side streets between Water Street and Market Street which adjoin the Downtown Mall;(5)On all public school property; and(6)In all city-owned cemeteries.
Full Breakdown
' 'Running at large' is defined in § 4-2 to mean roaming, loitering or being off the owner's premises without being fenced, caged, physically carried, or held by leash by someone capable of controlling the animal; a sterilized dog under its owner's immediate voice control is not considered at large, except in the areas where § 4-40 makes a leash mandatory regardless of sterilization or voice control. Those mandatory-leash areas are all city parks (apart from designated off-leash areas), the Greenway Trail System, the Meadow Creek Golf Course, the Downtown Pedestrian Mall between the Ninth Street bridge and Ridge-McIntire Road and its adjoining side streets, all public school property, and all city-owned cemeteries.
A carve-out lets dogs off leash during a sanctioned obedience or training event in a city park, and the Department of Parks and Recreation can designate specific off-leash days and areas, including the Greenbelt Trail Section of Riverview Park. A first violation of either § 4-38 or § 4-40 is a Class 4 misdemeanor; a third leash conviction, or a fourth at-large conviction, involving the same dog within one year escalates to a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
A first offense under § 4-38 (running at large) or § 4-40 (leash required) is a Class 4 misdemeanor. Repeat offenses involving the same dog escalate the penalty: a fourth at-large conviction within one year becomes a Class 3 misdemeanor, and a third leash-area conviction within one year also becomes a Class 3 misdemeanor. The city's animal control officer may impound a dog found running loose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a leash for my dog everywhere in Charlottesville?
Can my dog be off-leash if it's sterilized and obeys voice commands?
What's the penalty for a loose dog in Charlottesville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charlottesville
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