Jacksonville, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Ordinance Code § 462.302(b)
- Max leash/tether length
- 8 feet for physical control
- First-offense fine
- $250 civil citation
- Enforcing agency
- Animal Care and Protective Services
- Off-leash exception
- Designated dog parks only
Summary
Jacksonville bans letting a dog or other animal run at-large off its owner's property; the animal must stay under physical control on a leash or tether no longer than eight feet.
No owner or custodian of any animal shall permit the animal or fail to restrain the animal from being at-large, except a dog shall be considered exempt from these provisions if:...(3)The dog is in a City-designated or legally established private "off-leash" dog park and is under the supervision of the owner or a responsible person.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Ordinance Code § 462.302(b) makes it unlawful for an owner or custodian to permit an animal, or fail to restrain it, from being at-large. "At-large" is defined in § 462.102(f) as being off the owner's property without a leash, tether, or other physical-control device, and § 462.102(bb) caps a functional leash or tether at eight feet: anything longer, including a retractable leash extended past eight feet, counts as not under physical control. Narrow exemptions cover police service dogs on duty, dogs in legal hunts, field trials or similar training, and dogs inside a City-designated or legally established private off-leash dog park under an owner's supervision. Animal Care and Protective Services officers enforce the section and may issue citations on probable cause.
Violations & Fines
Civil citation from Animal Care and Protective Services; the Chapter 462 fine schedule (§ 462.1801) sets escalating fines of $250 for a first offense, $400 for a second, and $500 for a third.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in my own yard in Jacksonville?
Does a retractable leash satisfy Jacksonville's leash law?
Are there any legal off-leash spots in Jacksonville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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