Tulare County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Under Part 4, Chapter 7 of the Tulare County Ordinance Code, no dog may be at large in the unincorporated county. 'At large' is defined in Section 4-07-1400 as any dog off the premises of its owner or custodian and not under the immediate physical control of a responsible person, either by leash, chain, or rope of suitable length and strength held by a person able to control the dog. Owners are also required to maintain a current Tulare County dog license, which is issued by Animal Services and requires proof of current rabies vaccination as a condition of licensing under California Health & Safety Code section 121690. A dog found at large is subject to impoundment at the Tulare County Animal Services facility; the owner is responsible for reclaim fees, boarding charges, and any required licensing or vaccination before release. Dogs declared dangerous or vicious under Section 4-07 are subject to additional restraint, muzzling, and insurance requirements. Cities including Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba, Lindsay, Exeter, Farmersville, and Woodlake operate under their own leash and licensing rules.