Jacksonville Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 5-40(1) sets the baseline: no dog can be allowed off the property of its owner unless the dog is fastened to a suitable leash of dependable strength not to exceed eight feet in length within the city. The leash must be attached to a fixed object or specifically held by a person capable of controlling the animal, and the owner or person in custody of a tethered dog must be with the animal at all times. The definition of control in § 5-2 backs up the figure: animals on longer leashes or similar devices extended beyond eight feet are considered not under physical control and can be treated as at large.

Subsection (2) allows off-leash dogs only within the physical boundaries of Paws Dog Park, and only while the owner or handler stays inside those boundaries and within voice and eye contact at all times. Subsection (3) leaves service dog use unrestricted when the handler requires it, provided the dog is otherwise under the handler's control. Subsection (4) excludes a dog unattended by an owner, handler, or trainer inside the fenced boundaries of private property or a public dog park, and a dog actively and lawfully participating in or training for tracking, man trailing, search and rescue, cadaver identification, or law enforcement activities.

Section 5-39 separately makes it unlawful for the owner of any dog to permit it to commit a nuisance or to be found running at large on any of the public streets, public rights-of-way, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, alleys, beaches, or vacant lots in the city. A picked-up dog is sheltered for not less than three days nor more than seven days unless released sooner on proper identification and payment of impound and boarding fees. A dog tranquilized with chemical capture equipment adds $100.00 to the redemption fee, and a dangerous dog's redemption fee is $150.00.

Section 5-41 sets beach hours: dogs are permissible at any hour from October 1 through March 31, and from 5:00 p.m. through 9:00 a.m. from April 1 through September 30, on a leash not to exceed eight feet and with a current rabies vaccination tag. Section 5-38 requires removal of dog feces, including on the beach and in Paws Dog Park.