Hayward, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length limit
- 6 feet (HMC § 4-4.01.b)
- Governing section
- HMC § 4-4.13
- Offense level
- Infraction
- Impound hold
- 5-10 days (§ 4-4.44)
- Applies to
- Dogs, not cats
Summary
Hayward requires every dog off its owner's property to be under a leash, chain or similar restraint no longer than six feet, or under a competent handler's effective control. Running a dog loose on any public street, park or sidewalk violates Section 4-4.13, and Hayward Police can impound it under Section 4-4.40.
b. At-Large. "At-Large" shall mean the condition wherein an animal is off the premises of its owner and is not under secure restraint by a substantial leash, chain, halter, rope, or rein, not to exceed six (6) feet in length, or is not otherwise under the charge and control of a person competent to keep such animal under effective charge and control... SEC. 4-4.13 - ANIMALS AT-LARGE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal, other than a cat, to allow or permit such animal, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run at-large upon any public property within the City.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 28 Update 1 | Charter: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
01(b) defines 'at-large' as an animal off its owner's premises that is not under secure restraint by a substantial leash, chain, halter, rope or rein not to exceed six feet in length, or that is not otherwise under the charge and control of a person competent to keep the animal under effective control. 13 then makes it unlawful for the owner of any animal, other than a cat, to allow or permit the animal, licensed or not, to run at-large on public property in the City.
14 bars the same animals from being on private property other than the owner's without the consent of the person in charge, even if the animal is on a leash. Both sections exempt guide and hearing dogs in active use, dogs working for law enforcement, dogs entered in shows or field trials under a competent handler's control, and dogs herding or guarding livestock. 60 before the dog is returned. 70(a), an at-large violation is an infraction, with fines capped under Government Code Section 36900; if the loose dog bites or attacks a person behaving peacefully and lawfully, the owner faces a separate infraction under the same subsection.
Violations & Fines
An at-large violation under Section 4-4.13 is an infraction under Section 4-4.70(a), fined up to the limit in Government Code Section 36900. The dog can be impounded on the spot under Section 4-4.40, and the owner must pay license, shelter, and reclaim fees under Section 4-4.60 before regaining custody; unreclaimed dogs may be held only 5 to 10 days before adoption or humane destruction under Section 4-4.44.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog leash be in Hayward?
Does Hayward's leash law apply to cats?
What happens if animal control impounds my dog for running loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hayward
California rules heatmap·Compare Hayward to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle dog leash laws.