Montebello, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Maximum leash length
- 6 feet
- Off-leash alternative
- Confined in an enclosed vehicle
- Exempt animals
- Law-enforcement dogs
- Capture notification window
- 24 hours to notify director
- Repeat-bite consequence
- Classified as vicious, §6.28.050(B)
- General animal-code fine
- Up to $250 per violation, §6.04.080
Summary
In the City of Montebello, a dog may not leave its owner's premises unless it is on a leash no longer than six feet held by a competent person, or confined in an enclosed vehicle, under Municipal Code Section 6.28.010, with a law-enforcement dog exception.
No person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of any dog shall cause or permit such dog to be off the premises of its owner, unless such dog is securely confined by a strong leash of not exceeding six feet, securely and continuously held by a competent person owning, having an interest in, harboring or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of such dog, or unless such dog be confined within an enclosed vehicle. This section shall not apply to any dog being used for law enforcement purposes by any state, county, city or city and county law enforcement agency.
Full Breakdown
Montebello Municipal Code Section 6.28.010 prohibits any person owning, harboring or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of a dog from letting it off the owner's premises unless the dog is securely confined by a strong leash not exceeding six feet, continuously and securely held by a competent person with an interest in or charge of the dog, or unless the dog is confined inside an enclosed vehicle. The section exempts dogs used for law enforcement purposes by any state, county or city agency.
A dog found off-leash and off-premises falls within the city's at-large enforcement: Section 6.28.060 requires anyone who captures such a dog to notify the director of animal care and control within 24 hours, describing the animal, stating its license number if any, and where it is confined, then surrendering it to the director on request. Section 6.28.050(B) separately treats any dog that has bitten a person or animal without provocation, or bitten twice on separate occasions, as a wild or vicious animal subject to a director's restraint order or, if restraint is impossible, summary destruction.
Enforcement of the leash requirement runs through the department of animal care and control, operated for the city under contract by SEAACA, and the Montebello Police Department for related public-safety violations.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog off its owner's premises without a leash of six feet or less, or without confining it in an enclosed vehicle, is an infraction under the Title 6 penalty clause, Section 6.04.080, punishable by a fine of up to $250, with each day of a continuing at-large violation charged as a separate offense; the dog is also subject to impoundment by animal care and control.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog leash be in Montebello?
Are police or service dogs exempt from Montebello's leash law?
What must I do if I catch a loose dog in Montebello?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montebello
California rules heatmap·Compare Montebello to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle dog leash laws.