Gilbert, AZ Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Gilbert § 6-60
- Leash length limit
- 6 feet maximum
- Tag requirement
- Collar/harness with license tag, dogs over 3 months
- Off-leash exception
- Designated dog park areas only
- Owner liability
- Full liability for injury/damage, § 6-61
Summary
Gilbert prohibits dogs from running at large under Code of Gilbert § 6-60: every dog must stay confined to the owner's property in an enclosure, or on a leash no longer than six feet and directly under the owner's control, whenever it leaves that property. Designated off-leash areas in dog parks are the main blanket exception besides livestock work, hunting, kennel events and organized obedience training.
(a)Prohibited; exceptions. No dogs shall be permitted at large. Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's property, or secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the owner's property, or on a leash not to exceed six feet in length and directly under the owner's control when not on the owner's property. A dog is not at large:(1)If the dog is restrained by a leash, chain, rope or cord of not more than six feet in length and of sufficient strength to control the action of the dog.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-60, 'Running at large,' is codified at Code 1984 § 13-2-7 and was last amended by Ordinance No. 2526 on March 5, 2015, which added the dog-park off-leash exception. Beyond the six-foot-leash and enclosure rule, subsection (b) requires any dog over three months old that is running at large to wear a collar or harness carrying a valid license tag, with an exception for dogs actively working livestock, hunting, exhibiting or racing while in transit to those events. Subsection (c) makes clear that if a dog is unrestrained on public streets, in public parks or on public property, the dog's owner or custodian is in violation regardless of whether the dog is in a designated dog-park off-leash area.
§ 13-3903, and, if a dog at large is dangerous or fierce and cannot be safely impounded, the enforcement agent may slay it. Owners also carry civil liability: § 6-61 makes an owner fully responsible for any injury to a person or damage to property caused by a dog while it is at large. § 11-1012, is cited as the parallel state-law reference for this local rule.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog run at large is a citable civil offense enforced under § 6-101, with citations issued to the owner following state notice-to-appear procedure; the enforcement agent may impound the dog and, for a dangerous or fierce dog at large that cannot be safely captured, may destroy it on the spot. Owners also bear full civil liability under § 6-61 for any injury or property damage the loose dog causes, independent of any citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog's leash be in Gilbert?
Are there any off-leash areas for dogs in Gilbert?
What can happen to my dog if it's caught running loose in Gilbert?
Am I liable if my loose dog hurts someone in Gilbert?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gilbert
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