Dogs in the City of Fairfax must be on a leash or under direct physical control whenever off their owner property, per Chapter 14 of the City Code and the broader state running-at-large statute at Virginia Code 3.2-6538. Off-leash behavior is allowed only in designated dog parks.
The City of Fairfax requires that all dogs be secured on a leash not exceeding a reasonable length, typically six feet, when off the owner premises, consistent with Chapter 14 of the City Code and enforced under Virginia Code 3.2-6538 authority. Voice command is not a substitute for a physical leash inside city limits except within a designated off-leash dog park. The city contracts animal control services through Fairfax County Animal Protection Police, which issues summonses for dogs running at large, with fines typically starting around 50 dollars for a first offense and escalating with repeat violations. A dog that bites or chases a person or another animal while at large can trigger a dangerous dog investigation under Virginia Code 3.2-6540, which uses behavior-based classification and is not tied to breed. Owners of impounded dogs pay impound and per-day boarding fees at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. Leash law violations are the most common animal control call in the city, and trail corridors along Accotink Creek and Daniels Run Park are frequent enforcement zones.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fairfax County.
See how other cities in Fairfax County handle dog leash laws.
See how Fairfax's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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