All dogs 4 months and older in unincorporated Contra Costa County must be licensed annually and vaccinated against rabies. Dogs must be leashed in public and may not run at large. Contra Costa Animal Services in Martinez and Pinole enforces.
Under Contra Costa County Ordinance Code Chapter 416 (Animal Control), every dog 4 months of age or older kept in the county must be licensed. License fees are discounted for spayed/neutered dogs and renewed annually. A current rabies vaccination is required before a license can be issued. Outside an enclosed property, dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 6 feet unless in a designated off-leash area. Dogs running at large can be impounded by Contra Costa Animal Services, which operates shelters in Martinez and Pinole serving all unincorporated areas plus most contract cities. Reclaiming an impounded dog requires proof of current license, vaccination, and payment of impound and boarding fees. Chronic leash-law violations can result in administrative citations, typically starting around $100 and escalating for repeat offenses. Service animals are exempt from leash limits when performing work under the ADA. Owners of unlicensed dogs found at large face steeper fines and mandatory licensing before release.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Contra Costa County, CA
Contra Costa County Noisy Animal Ordinance (Code §416-12.202) makes it unlawful to have an animal that creates noise for 30 continuous minutes (incessant) or...
Contra Costa County, CA
Gas and electric lawn equipment in unincorporated Contra Costa County may generally be operated between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 5:00 P...
Contra Costa County, CA
Unincorporated Contra Costa County generally observes quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, during which loud residential noise (parties, amplified music, po...
Contra Costa County, CA
Amplified music in unincorporated Contra Costa County is regulated under Title 716. Outdoor speakers, live bands, and DJ equipment must not produce sound pla...
El Cerrito, CA
El Cerrito limits on-street parking to 72 consecutive hours and prohibits overnight parking (2 AM-6 AM) of trailers, RVs, motor homes, utility trailers, and ...
Contra Costa County, CA
Unincorporated Contra Costa County regulates street parking under California Vehicle Code and Ordinance Code Title 4, Division 46. The statewide 72-hour limi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle dog leash laws.
See how El Cerrito's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.