Monroe County, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- leash required in parks
- Banned
- swim areas, beaches
- Golf courses
- dogs not allowed
- Off-leash
- Director-designated areas only
Summary
Dogs and cats may enter Monroe County parks only on a leash; they're barred entirely from swim areas, beaches and golf courses.
No person shall bring into, permit, have or keep in a park any dog, cat or other household pet or any other animal which may be injurious or destructive to birds, fish, animals or other wildlife, plant life or other natural features within a park or may be dangerous, injurious or offensive to other users of a park; except that dogs and cats shall be permitted within a park if controlled by leash. Horses may be permitted in a park only as set forth in § 323-13 above.
B. Notwithstanding the above, dogs, cats, other household pets and horses are prohibited in all swimming areas and beaches; and dogs and horses are not permitted to be on golf courses or in picnic areas.
C. Exceptions. [Added 9-9-2003 by L.L. No. 11-2003, approved 9-25-2003[1]]
(1) Designated off-leash areas. Nothing in this chapter is intended to prohibit a dog from running at large in such off-leash areas as the Parks Director may designate upon such terms as the Director deems advisable and to discontinue such use at any time, provided that no off-leash areas may be designated by the Director until all necessary improvements to construct said areas have been completed using private funds only.
(2)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4802746; v60 updated 2026-02-10; through 02-10-2026).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 323-20(A) permits dogs and cats in county parks only if controlled by leash, since unleashed pets that could injure wildlife or park users are otherwise banned outright. Subsection B bars dogs, cats and horses from swimming areas and beaches, and keeps dogs off golf courses. The Parks Director may designate off-leash areas requiring a separate license and permit.
Violations & Fines
Nonobservance of the leash requirement is a violation under § 323-20(E), and owners must also immediately remove and dispose of dog feces from park property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dogs need to be leashed in Monroe County parks?
Are there off-leash dog areas in Monroe County parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monroe County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Monroe County to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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