Detroit, MI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length
- 6 feet maximum
- Retractable leashes
- Banned for dogs over 60 lbs
- Max penalty
- $500 fine, 90 days jail
- Enforcement
- Animal Care and Control Division
- Exemption
- On-duty police dogs
Summary
Detroit dog owners must keep dogs on their own property or under a six-foot leash or restraint in public; retractable leashes are banned for dogs over 60 pounds.
No owner to of a dog shall allow the dog to stray on public or private property, other than the private property of the owner, unless held properly by a leash, which is extended no more than six feet in length, or under restraint, provided, that police dogs accompanied by their handler while actively engaged in activities for which such dogs are trained are not subject to this prohibition.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Detroit City Code § 6-2-2 makes it the dog owner's duty to keep the dog on the owner's property. If the dog strays onto public property or someone else's private property, it must be on a leash no longer than six feet or otherwise under restraint: police dogs on duty are exempt. Owners are also barred from walking a dog over 60 pounds on a retractable leash in public. The Animal Care and Control Division enforces this chapter, and violators can be issued a citation for each day the violation continues under § 6-1-3.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor under § 6-1-3: up to $500 and 90 days in jail, with escalating fines of $100, $200, then $500 for repeat offenses within set periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Detroit require dogs to be leashed in public?
Can I use a retractable leash in Detroit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
Compare Detroit to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle dog leash laws.