Lakewood, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large ban
- Public streets, parks, private property
- First offense fine
- Up to $75.00
- Second offense fine
- Up to $125.00
- Third+ offense fine
- Up to $250.00
- Off-leash exception
- City-designated off-leash areas only
- Enforcement
- Animal control officer, seizure/impound
Summary
Lakewood makes it unlawful for a dog, cat or other animal to be at large on any public street, sidewalk, park, playground or public building, or to trespass on private property without the owner's permission. LMC 6.02.010 defines "at large" as off the owner's premises and not restrained by leash or chain. Violators face civil fines that escalate with repeat offenses.
It is unlawful for the owner or person having control or custody of any dog, cat, or other animal to allow such dog, cat, or other animal to be at large on any public street, sidewalk or right-of-way, or in any park, or to enter any public beach, pond, fountain, or stream therein, or upon any public playground or school ground or in any public building. ... This section shall not apply to any area of the City designated as an “off leash” area.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 852, passed June 15, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010 bans letting a dog, cat, or other animal be at large on any public street, sidewalk, right-of-way, park, beach, pond, fountain, stream, playground, school ground, or public building; any animal found doing so may be seized and impounded, though the rule does not apply inside a City-designated off-leash area. 020 imposes the identical prohibition for entering or trespassing on private property without the owner's or caretaker's express permission. 010, means off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under restraint by leash or chain by a competent person, itself defined as someone able to sufficiently care for, control, and restrain the animal.
050 forbids a dog habitually snarling, growling, jumping on, or threatening people on public sidewalks, roads, or places, each also authorizing seizure and impoundment. 00, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate infraction.
Violations & Fines
A first at-large citation under LMC 6.04.060 carries a civil infraction fine up to $75.00, a second up to $125.00, and a third or subsequent violation up to $250.00, with every day of noncompliance treated as its own infraction. Animal control officers or City law enforcement may seize and impound an at-large dog immediately, and dogs that bite or repeatedly threaten people can trigger separate dangerous-dog proceedings under LMC Chapter 6.10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lakewood require dogs to be on a leash?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle dog leash laws.