Johnson County, IA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash
- Required off property
- Shelter
- Iowa City Animal Care Center
- Serves
- Iowa City, Coralville, county
- Rabies
- Required at 6 months (351.33)
- Dangerous Dogs
- Behavior-based
Summary
Iowa City, Coralville, and unincorporated Johnson County require dogs to be leashed or controlled off the owner's property, with the shared Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center handling enforcement. Rabies vaccination is required by Iowa Code 351.33.
Every owner of a dog shall obtain a rabies vaccination for such animal. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or have a dog in the person's possession, six months of age or over, which has not been vaccinated against rabies. Dogs kept in kennels and not allowed to run at large shall not be subject to these vaccination requirements.
Full Breakdown
Animal control here is unusually consolidated: the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center, at 3910 Napoleon Lane, shelters and enforces under contract for Iowa City, Coralville, University Heights, the University of Iowa, and unincorporated Johnson County. Each jurisdiction's ordinance requires dogs to be leashed or under control off the owner's property, and dogs at large may be impounded. Iowa Code Section 351.33 makes rabies vaccination mandatory for dogs six months and older, and local licensing is set by ordinance. Dangerous-dog designation in these communities is behavior-based, not breed-based.
Violations & Fines
A dog at large may be impounded, with impound and daily boarding fees to reclaim it, plus a citation. An unvaccinated impounded dog must be vaccinated at the owner's expense before release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles animal control in Johnson County?
Is rabies vaccination required?
Sources & Official References
- [1]Iowa Code
Other rules in Johnson County
Compare Johnson County to another location·View the Iowa animal ordinances overview
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