Chula Vista, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

020 makes it unlawful for anyone owning, harboring, or having custody of a dog to allow it upon any public street, alley, park, or other public place in the City, including public or private school grounds, unless the dog is restrained by a chain, line, or leash and in the custody of a competent person, or confined within a motor vehicle; it is likewise unlawful to let a dog onto another person's property or into another person's vehicle without consent. 030 reinforces this by requiring owners to keep dogs on a leash or within an enclosed area on their own or permitted private property at all times, to prevent the dog from being at large or stray, biting or harassing lawful passersby, or interfering with public or private property.

The restraint requirement is lifted only while a dog participates in field trials or obedience classes organized by recognized dog clubs, assists its owner or trainer in legal hunting or livestock herding, assists a peace officer on duty, or trains for those purposes on private land with the landowner's permission, and even then the dog must remain under direct, effective sound or gesture control and within sight of the handler. 010 layers on general ownership conditions that the Animal Regulation Officer can make a condition of licensing, including humane treatment, food/water/shelter at all times, veterinary care within 12 hours of an injury, and keeping premises sanitary and nuisance-free.