Durham County, NC Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- Durham County Code Sec. 4-86
- Restraint
- Enclosure, attended leash, e-collar
- Voice command
- Not adequate restraint
- First-violation fine
- $50 civil penalty
- Enforced by
- Durham County Sheriff Animal Services
Summary
Durham County Code Sec. 4-86 makes it unlawful to intentionally or negligently allow a dog to run at large. Off the owner's property a dog must be under restraint (secure enclosure, attended leash, or electronic device); voice command is not adequate restraint.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, keeping, possessing or maintaining a dog in this county to intentionally or negligently allow the dog to run at large.
Full Breakdown
The joint City-County Animal Control Ordinance (Chapter 4), enforced countywide by the Durham County Sheriff's Animal Services, requires dogs to be restrained. Sec. 4-13 defines 'at large' as any animal off its owner's property and not under restraint, and defines 'restraint' as a secure enclosure on the owner's property, an attended leash, or an electronic device of sufficient strength; 'Voice command is not recognized as adequate restraint.' Tethering a dog outdoors is generally prohibited under Sec. 4-62(6) except for listed activities, and any lawful tether must be rope/twine/cord with a swivel, or a chain at least ten feet long with swivels on both ends not exceeding ten percent of the dog's body weight.
Violations & Fines
First at-large violation draws a $50 civil penalty under Sec. 4-9; second and subsequent violations $100 each. An officer who personally observes a dog at large may seize and impound it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog have to be leashed in Durham County?
Can I tether my dog in the yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Durham County
Compare Durham County to another location·View the North Carolina animal ordinances overview
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