Glendale, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length limit
- Six feet, held continuously
- Covered areas
- Streets, alleys, parks, open lots
- Cats exempted
- Domestic/feral cats not "at large"
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100 (infraction)
- Failure to surrender stray
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 months
- Governing section
- GMC § 6.04.190
Summary
Glendale Municipal Code Section 6.04.190 declares any dog or other non-cat animal running loose on a public street, alley, park or unenclosed lot a public nuisance. A dog escapes "at large" status only if held on a leash no longer than six feet by someone capable of controlling it, confined on private property, or secured inside a vehicle.
No person owning, having an interest in, harboring or having the care, charge, control or possession of any animal other than domesticated or feral cats shall permit or allow it, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, to be, remain, go or run at large upon any public street, alleyway, park or unenclosed lot or land in the city. ... An animal shall not be considered to be at large if such animal is attached to a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length, and held continuously by a reasonable person capable of controlling it, or if such animal is upon private property which is in the possession of a person or persons who either own or have control of the animal, or if such animal is securely confined within an automobile.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4983441; v20 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
190 makes it unlawful for any person owning, harboring or controlling an animal, other than a domesticated or feral cat, to allow it to "be, remain, go or run at large upon any public street, alleyway, park or unenclosed lot or land in the city," whether the owner acts willfully or simply fails to exercise due care. Subsection B declares any animal at large in those areas a nuisance "dangerous to the public health and safety," which gives the city's animal control officers and its contracted humane society standing to trap loose animals, including participants in the feral cat trap-neuter-return program.
Subsection C defines the leash exception precisely: a dog escapes "at large" status only if it is "attached to a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length, and held continuously by a reasonable person capable of controlling it," or if it is confined on private property under the control of its owner, or secured inside a car. A leash held by someone unable to control the dog does not satisfy the exception. 220). 240).
Violations & Fines
A first at-large violation is an infraction under Section 1.20.010(B), fined up to $100, escalating to $200 for a second violation and $500 for each further violation within the same year. Failing to surrender a captured stray to an animal control officer on demand under Section 6.04.220 is treated more seriously: Section 6.04.010(B) elevates that specific offense to a misdemeanor, punishable under Section 1.20.010(A) by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in county jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog's leash be in Glendale?
Can my dog be off-leash in my own yard?
What happens if I find a stray dog in Glendale?
What's the fine for letting my dog run loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
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