Lacey, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- LMC 7.04.030(D), 7.04.050(A) and (C)
- Control methods off property
- Leash, carrier or demonstrated voice command
- Public property
- Leash held by person able to keep physical control
- Fenced exception
- Areas the City of Lacey designates as not requiring a leash
- At-large penalty
- Class 3, then Class 2, then Class 1
- Four or more
- Misdemeanor within eighteen months
Summary
In the City of Lacey, Washington, a dog found off the owner's property or vehicle must be under control by leash, carrier or demonstrated voice command, and on public property such as a park, beach or school ground it must be on a leash held by a person able to keep physical control. At-large violations escalate from Class 3 to Class 1 infractions and then a misdemeanor.
1. When a dog, licensed or not, is found off the property or outside the vehicle of the owner and not under control of a person by means of a leash, carrier or demonstrated voice command wherein the person purporting to exercise control of a dog can cause the dog to immediately heel by giving an appropriate voice command; or ... A. Pet animal at large. ... Such person’s pet animal is at large as defined in LMC 7.04.030(D); provided, however, this section shall not prohibit the owner and pet animal from participating in an organized show or training, exercise or hunting session in locations designated and authorized for that purpose. A pet animal at large is a civil infraction. ... C. Pet animal on public property. When such person’s pet animal is on public property including but not limited to a public park, beach or school ground; and 1. Not on a leash held by a person who is able to maintain physical control unless on fenced areas of public property specifically designated by the city of Lacey as not requiring a leash; or
Full Breakdown
The leash rule in the City of Lacey works through the at-large definition in section 7.04.030(D) of the Lacey Municipal Code and the violations in section 7.04.050. A pet animal is at large when it is not in the physical presence and control of an owner or keeper. A dog, licensed or not, is at large when it is found off the property or outside the vehicle of the owner and not under control of a person by means of a leash, carrier or demonstrated voice command. Voice control counts only when the person can cause the dog to immediately heel by giving an appropriate voice command. An unleashed dog is also at large when it interferes with pedestrian, bicycle or vehicular movement, causes reasonable affront or alarm to a person, or has caused injury, damage or trespass.
Section 7.04.050(A) makes an at-large pet animal a civil infraction, with a carve-out for an organized show or a training, exercise or hunting session in locations designated and authorized for that purpose. Subsection C is stricter on public property, including a public park, beach or school ground: the animal must be on a leash held by a person who is able to maintain physical control, unless it is in a fenced area the City of Lacey has specifically designated as not requiring a leash. Proper safeguards must protect the public and property, and posted restrictions apply. Guide dogs for the visually impaired and service animals for the physically handicapped are excused where being off leash is necessary to the service. Section 7.04.030(R) defines a leash as a cord, thong or chain by which a dog is controlled by the person accompanying it, and subsection E requires anyone with a pet animal on public property to possess the equipment to remove fecal material.
Violations & Fines
At large: a first violation is a Class 3 civil infraction, a second within an eighteen month period is Class 2, a third is Class 1, and four or more within eighteen months are deemed a misdemeanor (section 7.04.080(B)). A pet animal on public property in violation of subsection C is a Class 4 civil infraction, with four or more within eighteen months deemed a misdemeanor (section 7.04.080(D)). Officers can impound under section 7.04.060(A), and reclaiming within the forty-eight hour holding period requires the claim fee, fines, medical costs and a license if the animal had none.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a dog have to be on a leash in the City of Lacey?
Does voice control count in Lacey?
Are service animals exempt from the leash rule in Lacey?
What is the penalty for a dog running loose in Lacey?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lacey
Compare Lacey to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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