Lassen County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Lassen County regulates dogs through Title 8 (Animals) of the County Code, enforced by Lassen County Animal Control and the Sheriff in the unincorporated areas. Chapter 8.08 (General Animal Regulations) provides that no owner or possessor of any animal shall permit it to stray from the premises where it is kept, and that while off such property the animal must be 'under leash control of a competent person.' The code does not set a specific maximum leash length, so the controlling standard is competent leash control rather than a stated number of feet. The same chapter makes it unlawful to permit an animal to enter another person's land without permission, and declares any straying, trespassing or at-large animal a nuisance. An animal allowed to be at large so as to damage property is also a nuisance. These rules apply only in the unincorporated county; the City of Susanville enforces its own municipal code. Chapter 8.08 also incorporates by reference California Food and Agricultural Code sections 31602-31605 and 31621-31626 governing potentially dangerous and vicious dogs. Owners should confirm current enforcement and impound procedures with Lassen County Animal Control.