Los Banos, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

4002(a) of the Los Banos Municipal Code prohibits an owner or keeper from allowing an animal, other than a spayed or neutered cat, to run, be, or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public place in the City. The code defines 'at-large' as being off the owner's premises and not under secure restraint by a substantial leash, chain, halter, rope, or rein of a length necessary to keep the animal under effective charge and control; a loose or ineffective tether does not satisfy the requirement.

Subsection (b) separately bars letting an animal onto someone else's private property without the consent of the person in control of that property, even if the animal is not technically at-large. Exceptions apply to service or assistance dogs, dogs in field or obedience trials, animal exhibitions, and dogs assisting a public safety officer on duty. If an animal wanders onto private property without permission, the property owner may take it up and deliver it to the Animal Control Officer, or hold it there, but must notify the Police Department within 24 hours and then surrender the animal without charge.

4011 must still be leashed until they pass through the gate. The Animal Control Services Unit, part of the Los Banos Police Department, enforces the leash law alongside Public Safety and Code Enforcement Officers.