Louisville, KY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Restraint required
- at all times, § 91.002
- Off property
- lead or leash required
- On property
- enclosure or direct control
- Civil penalty
- $150 to $1,000
- Enforced by
- Louisville Metro Animal Services
Summary
Louisville Metro requires every dog to be under restraint at all times, and off the owner's property that means on a lead or leash under a responsible person's control.
All animals, excluding community cats, shall be kept under restraint at all times, as defined in this chapter, except as otherwise provided herein, and any deviation or violation thereof is strictly prohibited. (1994 Jeff. Code, § 91.003) (Jeff. Ord. 17-1990, adopted and effective 12-19- 1990; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 97-2003, approved 5-16-2003; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 233-2006, approved 1-4-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 290-2007, approved 12- 20-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 79-2012, approved 4-30-12) Penalty, see § 91.999
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Louisville Metro Code § 91.002 requires all animals, except community cats, to be kept under restraint at all times. Section 91.001 defines RESTRAINT for dogs as staying on the owner's property in a secure enclosure or under the owner's direct control, or, once off the property without permission, on a lead or leash and under the control of a person physically able to control the dog. Dogs may run off-leash only in designated off-leash areas operated by Kentucky or Metro Parks, subject to those departments' rules. Louisville Metro Animal Services (MAS) enforces the requirement.
Violations & Fines
A first violation is a civil offense punishable by $150 to $1,000 (Metro Code § 91.999(B)(2)), or, if pursued as a criminal Class B misdemeanor, a fine of $5 to $250 and/or up to 90 days in jail, with each day of noncontinuing restraint a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in a Louisville park?
Does the leash law apply on my own property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
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