Davis County, UT Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large defined
- off-property unrestrained or on-property unconfined
- 1st offense fine
- $50 ($100 on a major roadway)
- 3rd offense fine
- $150 ($200 on a major roadway)
- Impoundment
- immediate, board charge $15/day
- Exempt
- working herding/hunting dogs under control
Summary
Davis County makes it unlawful for any dog, cat or other animal to run at large in the unincorporated county under Section 6.16.080. An animal is 'at large' whenever it's off its owner's property without a leash, cage or other physical restraint, or on the property but unconfined and not under effective control.
"Animal at large" means any animal, whether licensed or not, when: The animal is off the property of the owner or custodian and is not under the immediate physical restraint by the owner or custodian... A working dog while being used for herding sheep, cattle, or other livestock; a hunting dog while lawfully being used to hunt game; or a dog while being trained for herding or hunting shall not be deemed to be an animal at large if the dog is under the proper control of its owner or custodian. It is unlawful for any animal to be allowed to be "at large" as defined in this title.
Full Breakdown
010 defines 'animal at large' as any animal off the owner's or custodian's property that isn't under immediate physical restraint, meaning a durable device like a leash, cage or kennel, or an animal on the owner's property that isn't securely confined in a building, fenced area, cage or kennel and isn't under immediate physical restraint or effective control. A working dog herding livestock, a hunting dog lawfully working game, or a dog being trained for herding or hunting is not 'at large' as long as it stays under its owner's proper control.
010, using reasonable means to capture it. 010 sets escalating fines for at-large violations: $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $150 for a third within the same period, rising to $100, $150 and $200 respectively if the animal was loose on a major roadway such as a highway, freeway or railroad right-of-way. 100 rather than a criminal citation, but refusing to sign, pay, or comply lets the department pursue a criminal citation or enforce the stipulation in court.
Violations & Fines
A first at-large violation costs $50 ($100 on a major roadway), rising to $150 ($200 on a major roadway) by the third offense within the fee schedule under Section 6.32.010. The animal can be impounded on the spot under Section 6.20.010, and redemption requires paying the impound fee, a $15 daily board charge, and any unpaid license fee before the animal is released. Absent an administrative resolution, the county's default Class B misdemeanor penalty under Section 1.08.010 applies, up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a dog being 'at large' in Davis County?
How much is the fine for a loose dog in Davis County?
Will Davis County impound my dog if it gets loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davis County
Compare Davis County to another location·View the Utah animal ordinances overview
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