Compton, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length limit
- Not more than six feet
- Other animals
- Barred without an exhibition permit
- Governs
- Public parks and recreation centers only
- Default penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 months
- Infraction alternative
- $100/$200/$500 escalating fines
Summary
Dogs are the only animal allowed into a Compton public park or recreation center without a special permit, and only when kept on a leash no longer than six feet under the city's park conduct rules.
No person shall bring, or cause to be brought in, any horse, goat, cat, fowl, or any other animal, excepting dogs which shall be permitted only when secured by a leash of not more than six feet in length and excepting such animals which are brought into any park or recreation center for the purposes of exhibition or otherwise, pursuant to a special permit granted as hereinafter set forth.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4952997; v15 updated 2026-07-14; through 07-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
' The rule sits inside § 18-2, the general list of prohibited conduct in any 'public park or recreation center,' defined by § 18-1 as dedicated parks, playgrounds and planted parkways maintained by the City (not counting parkway strips between curbs and sidewalks). Because the leash exception applies only to dogs, every other animal, from horses and goats to fowl, is barred from park property entirely unless it is part of a permitted exhibition approved through the special-permit process described in § 18-8, which the Department of Parks and Recreation issues when the use will not unduly interfere with public use of the park or create conditions harmful to public peace, safety or welfare. 12), and the leash itself may not exceed six feet regardless of the dog's size or temperament.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 18 does not set its own fine schedule for a park-leash violation, so it defaults to the citywide general penalty in § 1-6.2: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to six months, or both, unless the City Attorney charges it as an infraction, which carries escalating fines of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and up to $500 for each additional offense in that year under § 1-6.3.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog leash be in a Compton park?
Can I bring a cat or other pet to a Compton park?
What happens if my dog is off-leash in a Compton park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Compton
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