Franklin County, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 4-11 makes it unlawful for any animal, dogs included, to run or remain at large on a public street, road, park, parking lot, beach or other public place; in those places a dog must be under 'direct control' at all times. Section 4-6 defines direct control as immediate, continuous physical control by means of a leash, cord or chain strong enough to humanely restrain the dog and held by someone capable of doing so, or secure restraint within a vehicle. Voice control alone can satisfy direct control only when a dog is actively participating in training, an official show, obedience trial or field event, and never at a beach, public boat ramp, public park or public parking area.

At those specific public recreation sites, the standard tightens further: Section 4-6 caps the leash, cord or chain at six feet, and it says voice control is not allowed there at all, even for a dog that would otherwise qualify under the training exception. Section 4-11 also bars tethering a dog so that it can reach public property or a neighbor's property without consent, and requires that dogs and livestock be physically contained on the owner's property by a fence or other enclosure. A first violation of the at-large rule carries a $75 civil penalty, rising to $150 for a second violation and $250 for a third and beyond, under the fine schedule in Section 4-7(g).