Elk Grove, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

EGMC § 8.02.060 prohibits letting a dog run, be, or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, school, or other public place, or on private property other than the owner's without that owner's consent. The code defines "at large" broadly: a dog is deemed at large unless it is tied or restrained by a chain, strap, or cord no longer than six feet, attached to its collar and actually held by a capable person, or staked away from a public walkway. The leash or tether itself has to be strong enough that the dog's size or strength can't break, sever, or otherwise defeat it. A dog riding in or on a vehicle is treated as being on the property of whoever is driving.

Any dog caught running at large is seized and impounded immediately under this section, working together with EGMC § 8.02.070's general impoundment authority. The ordinance builds in an escalation for repeat offenders: on the second impoundment for running at large, the dog must be spayed or neutered, and the owner bears that cost. EGMC § 8.02.080 separately requires that whenever a dog is outside on the owner's own property, it stay within a secure fenced enclosure or be tethered no more than two hours in any twenty-four hour period.