Madera, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Madera County Animal Services enforces dog-restraint rules under Title 6 (Animals and Agriculture), Chapter 6.04 (Animal Control) of the Madera County Code in the unincorporated areas of the county. According to the County's Animal Services pages, all dogs are expected to be under control at all times: they must be confined to the owner's property, and if taken off the property—for example, to go for a walk—they must be on a leash. The County does not publish a specific maximum leash length on its Animal Services pages, so owners should keep the dog physically controlled at all times. A dog found running at large may be impounded at the County animal shelter or returned to its owner along with a citation. If the impounded dog has no identification or the owner cannot be reached, redemption fees apply and are calculated based on how long the animal was held and its sterilization, vaccination, and license status. Aggressive-dog complaints are investigated by Animal Services officers, who take appropriate action against the owner. Because rules differ inside the incorporated cities of Madera and Chowchilla, these County rules apply only to unincorporated communities such as Oakhurst, Coarsegold, Bass Lake, and the rural valley and foothill areas.