Las Vegas, NV Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- No dog off-leash off your property
- Citation
- LVMC § 7.36.030 (at large)
- Cats
- Exempt unless visibly injured or ill
- Penalty path
- Misdemeanor or civil infraction citation
- Enforced by
- Metro, Sheriff, Animal Protection Services
Summary
Nevada's largest city bans letting a dog roam free off its owner's property: it must be on a leash or lead, or confined by fence, cage, or chain, per LVMC 7.36.030.
(A)Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (B), it is unlawful for the owner of an animal, or any person having possession, custody or control thereof, to allow the animal to be at large, as defined in Section 7.04.090.(B)Subsection (A) does not apply to any cat or the cat's owner unless the cat has an obvious injury or illness.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
City code defines "at large" as any animal not secured by leash or lead and not confined within its owner's property by fence, cage, coop, chain, leash, or other restraining device (LVMC 7.04.090). LVMC 7.36.030 makes it unlawful for an owner or custodian to let an animal run at large; cats are exempt unless visibly injured or ill. A companion section, 7.36.050, separately requires every animal kept on private property to be restrained by a fence, cage, coop, chain, or leash so it cannot escape. The Sheriff, Metro, and Animal Protection Services officers enforce both sections City-wide.
Violations & Fines
A violation is a misdemeanor under LVMC 7.44.040. The City treats an officer-witnessed at-large violation as a civil infraction instead, carrying a scheduled fine under LVMC 7.44.060 through .120, doubling if unpaid within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the leash law apply to cats in Las Vegas?
What counts as restrained under the law?
Is a first at-large violation a criminal charge?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Las Vegas
Compare Las Vegas to another location·View the Nevada animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Clark County handle dog leash laws.