Shasta County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Shasta County regulates dogs through Title 6, Chapter 6.04 of the County Code, enforced in the unincorporated area by the Sheriff's Office Animal Regulation Unit (and its contract agency). There is no flat countywide leash requirement in the Code. Instead, Section 6.04.050(A) makes it unlawful to allow any animal to stray from the premises where it is kept, and 6.04.050(B) bars allowing an animal to enter another person's land without permission. 'Stray' is defined as being at large off the owner's premises and not at all times under the owner's immediate control or direction. Section 6.04.055 authorizes the Board of Supervisors to designate 'dog leash zones' after a public hearing; inside a posted leash zone it is unlawful to allow a dog off-leash and not under control, except on the owner's own premises or while lawfully transported in a vehicle. The Department of Public Works posts signs, but failure to post is not a defense. Under 6.04.050(G), a dog brought onto any school grounds must be leashed and controlled (or leashed to a fixture) unless the school administrator gives permission. Violations are public nuisances punishable under County Code Chapter 108. The Code does not specify a maximum leash length.