In unincorporated Sedgwick County an animal running at large is a code violation. "At large" means off the owner's property and not effectively restrained by a leash, suitable fence, or other physical restraint. Enforcement runs through the county's nuisance-animal provisions.
Sedgwick County Code Ch. 5, sec. 5-1 defines "at large" as (1) being off the owner's property and/or (2) not being effectively physically restrained on a chain or leash or kept in a suitable fence or other restraint the animal cannot escape. Animals loose off-property fall under the nuisance-animal rules in sec. 5-161, which include "nonconfinement," trespassing to others' property, and chasing passersby or vehicles. These county rules apply only in unincorporated areas; Wichita and other incorporated cities set their own leash ordinances. Dogs five months or older must also carry a county license.
Prosecuted as a chapter 5 violation under K.S.A. 19-4701 et seq.; fines set by the county court up to $500 per the sec. 8-5 classification schedule, each violation a separate offense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
sedgwick-county-ks
Sedgwick County does not prohibit backyard composting of yard and food waste. Compost must be managed so it does not become an odor, vermin, or nuisance prob...
sedgwick-county-ks
Sedgwick County has no ordinance banning artificial turf on residential yards in unincorporated areas. Installation is generally treated as landscaping. Zoni...
sedgwick-county-ks
Sedgwick County does not prohibit native prairie plants or pollinator gardens, but any vegetation must stay under the Chapter 19 nuisance height (18 inches) ...
sedgwick-county-ks
Rainwater collection is legal in Kansas. Sedgwick County has no ordinance banning rain barrels. Rooftop capture for domestic, garden, and livestock use is al...
sedgwick-county-ks
Sedgwick County sets no county-wide lawn-watering schedule. If you get water from the City of Wichita, a permanent 3-day odd/even watering schedule applies. ...
sedgwick-county-ks
Sedgwick County's Chapter 19 Nuisance Code makes grass or rank vegetation over 18 inches on unincorporated property a nuisance. Separately, Kansas Noxious We...
See how Sedgwick County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.