Downey, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 4230, added by Ordinance 806 in 1985 and amended by Ordinance 1264 in 2010, forbids any person owning, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody, or possession of a dog from letting it off the owner's premises unless it is "securely confined by a strong leash not exceeding six feet in total length," held continuously by a competent person with authority over the dog, or confined inside an enclosed vehicle. The rule applies to anyone with any degree of control over the animal, not just the registered owner, so a dog-sitter or family member walking the dog is equally bound by the six-foot limit.

Three exceptions are written into the section: dogs used for law enforcement by a governmental agency, dogs covered by a City-issued permit, and dogs inside a Dog Park Area formally designated by City Council action. Outside those carve-outs, a loose dog is "running at large" and subject to pickup. Under Section 4231, anyone who captures a loose dog must notify the Director of Animal Care and Control within 24 hours with the animal's description, license number if any, and where it is being held. Section 4237 separately directs the Director to impound any dog found violating Section 4230 wherever it is found, whether on public property or private land, and Section 4241 requires the Director to take up any dog found in violation and deliver it to the shelter.

Licensed dogs held at the shelter get at least 10 working days of food and care before disposition under Section 4244; unlicensed dogs get five.