Hemet, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

The City of Hemet does not write its own leash law. Hemet Municipal Code Sec. 10-1 (Adoption by reference) adopts Title 6 of the Riverside County Code (County Ordinance Nos. 534 and 630) "in its entirety," so the County's animal-control standards govern within city limits. Under Ordinance 630, a dog is "at large" when it is off the owner's premises and "not under physical restraint by a leash of a size and material appropriate to the size and temperament of the dog" held by a capable person, or not otherwise physically restrained.

The ordinance expressly excludes "voice control, eye control or signal control" as a substitute for physical restraint. On the owner's own property, a dog must be confined by physical restraint, fence, kennel, or voice command so it cannot leave the property or be reached by people who do not trespass. Sec. 10-1 makes these provisions enforceable by the Riverside County Department of Animal Services and by designated city officials. Hemet contracts its field animal-control and sheltering to the County department (San Jacinto shelter). Off-leash dogs are allowed only inside the fenced dog-park area at David R. Oltman Park.