Sacramento County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Max leash length
- 8 feet
- Applies
- anywhere off owner's property
- Exceptions
- police, training events, herding, hunting
- Enforcement
- impoundment by Animal Control
Summary
Dogs that leave their owner's property must be on a leash no longer than eight feet, with narrow exceptions for law enforcement, training events, and livestock herding.
No person shall permit or suffer a dog to stray from private property owned or legally possessed by the dog owner or the person who has a right to control the dog unless the dog is restrained by a leash or lead not exceeding eight feet in length, except in the following situations:
1. When the dog is assisting a peace officer who is engaged in law enforcement duties or when the dog is participating in a search and rescue effort at the specific request of a law enforcement authority;
2. When the dog is enrolled in and actually participating in a dog training or obedience course, exhibition, or competition conducted by an organization on private or public property with the permission of the owner or operator of the grounds or facilities;
3. When the dog is assisting the owner or person in charge of livestock in the herding or control of such livestock; or 4. When the dog is accompanying and under the direction of a person engaged in hunting on land which is within a restricted shooting district as defined in Section 9.40.060 of the Sacramento County Code. (SCC 544 § 3, 1983; SCC 576 § 9, 1983; SCC 0815 § 2, 1990)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Sacramento County Code § 8.08.056 bars letting a dog stray off the owner's private property unless restrained by a leash or lead of eight feet or less. Exceptions cover dogs assisting a peace officer or search-and-rescue effort, dogs actively competing in a training or obedience event with the facility owner's permission, dogs herding livestock, and dogs accompanying a licensed hunter in a restricted shooting district. Animal Control can impound a loose dog under Chapter 8.16.
Violations & Fines
A dog running at large without a qualifying exception can be impounded by Animal Control, and the owner faces citation plus impoundment and redemption fees under Chapter 8.16.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog's leash be in unincorporated Sacramento County?
Can my dog be off-leash at a training class?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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