Lehi, UT Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 6-4A-4, Animals Running At Large, states that it is unlawful for any domesticated animal to be at large at any time within the corporate limits of the city, and that the owner or custodian is strictly liable for the violation regardless of the precautions taken to prevent the escape of the animal and regardless of lack of knowledge of the offense at the time it occurs. The chapter's definitions section, 6-4A-1, spells out what restraint means for a dog specifically: an animal is under restraint when it is under the control of its owner or custodian, except that a dog is not considered under control unless it is on a leash or lead, confined within a vehicle, or within the real property limits of the owner or custodian.

That means a fenced yard satisfies the law but an unleashed dog walking beside its owner on a public sidewalk or in a park does not, no matter how well trained the dog is. Animal control officers and the police department, which is responsible for animal control services under section 6-4B-1, may take a loose dog into custody without waiting for a complaint under section 6-4A-5, and any dog running at large is automatically subject to impoundment. Because liability under 6-4A-4 is strict, a dog that slips its collar or pushes through a gate left open by a contractor still puts the owner in violation; the code does not require intent or even knowledge that the dog got out.