Minneapolis, MN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash required
- on all public property
- Exception
- designated off-leash areas only
- Tether length
- 3x animal's length minimum
- Tether weight cap
- 5 pounds max
- Enforcement
- MACC; misdemeanor penalty
Summary
Minneapolis dogs must be leashed or fenced everywhere except designated off-leash areas, under Code of Ordinances § 64.80.
No person having the custody or control of any dog or animal of the dog kind shall permit the dog to be on any unfenced area or lot abutting upon a street, alley, public park, public place, or upon any private land without being effectively restrained from moving beyond such unfenced area or lot; nor shall any person having the custody or control of any dog or animal of the dog kind permit the dog at any time to be on any street, alley, public park, school ground, or public place without being effectively restrained by chain or leash, except in areas officially designated for off leash activities. Any area, lot, or yard that utilizes an invisible fence to prevent a dog from escaping or getting loose must have prominent signage indicating that an invisible fence is present and the invisible fence must be in working order and effective in restraining the movement of the dog and preventing its escape from the fenced area.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 64.80(a) bars letting a dog run loose on any unfenced lot bordering a street, alley, park or public place, and bars letting a dog onto any street, alley, park, school ground or public place "without being effectively restrained by chain or leash," except in areas the city or Park Board designates off-leash. Invisible-fence yards must be signed and the fence kept working. Tethering is separately regulated under § 64.80(b)-(e): the tether must run at least three times the animal's length, keep it clear of tangling and away from sidewalks and streets, weigh no more than five pounds, be supervised, and never attach to a leg.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor under the Code's general penalty, § 1.30: fine or imprisonment up to the state misdemeanor maximum, with each day a separate offense; Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC) enforces and can impound a loose dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in a Minneapolis park?
Is a fenced yard enough to skip the leash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
Compare Minneapolis to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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