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

Alpine County's animal rules are in County Code Chapter 6.04, the 'Alpine County Animal Control Ordinance' (Ord. 430, 1983), enforced by the Sheriff and animal control officers. Section 6.04.160(A) provides that no person owning or controlling any animal, livestock or poultry shall let it stray or run at large on any public street or public place, or on private property without the owner's written consent. Section 6.04.160(B) states that any animal, other than a working animal when employed as such, 'shall be confined by the owner or his agent on a leash of not more than ten feet in length, or shall be under voice control of the owner or agent, during any time the animal is removed from private property.' A female dog in heat must be confined in an enclosed area so it cannot contact another animal except for planned breeding (6.04.160(C)). The leash rule does not apply to seeing-eye dogs, dogs for the deaf, police or working dogs, or search-and-rescue dogs working with their handler (6.04.160(D)). A 'stray' is defined as an animal off the owner's premises without a license, not under restraint by leash, and not in the owner's immediate presence (6.04.020). Violations are infractions (6.04.250).