Montgomery County, VA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- dogs may not run or be at large (Sec 3-36)
- Exemptions
- hunting, trials, herding/guarding livestock work
- Stray hold
- minimum 5 days at county shelter
- Impound fee
- $25-$50 by repeat offense (Sec 3-28)
- Boarding fee
- $10/day while impounded
- Default penalty
- class 4 misdemeanor (Sec 3-2)
Summary
County Code § 3-36 makes it unlawful for a dog owner to let the dog run or be at large anywhere in unincorporated Montgomery County. A dog counts as "at large" whenever it roams, runs, or self-hunts off its owner's property and outside the owner's or custodian's immediate control.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to permit or allow such dog to run or be at large within the county. For the purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed to be "at large" while roaming, running or self-hunting off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner's or custodian's immediate control. This section shall not apply to any person while engaged in a supervised, formal obedience training class or show, or during formally sanctioned field trials, or while engaged in lawful hunting with a dog during open season or during bona fide hunting or field trial dog training. This section shall also not apply to any person whose dog is actively engaged in agricultural work such as herding or guarding livestock.
Full Breakdown
Sec 3-36 bars an owner from permitting or allowing a dog to run or be at large in the county, defining "at large" as roaming, running or self-hunting off the owner's or custodian's property and outside that person's immediate control. The section carves out supervised, formal obedience training classes or shows, formally sanctioned field trials, lawful hunting with a dog during open season, bona fide hunting or field trial training, and dogs actively doing agricultural work such as herding or guarding livestock. It is also unlawful for an owner to place a dog in the custody of someone not physically capable of maintaining effective control of it.
Sec 3-35 layers on a tag requirement: a licensed dog four months or older may not run or roam at large without wearing its license tag, except while hunting, showing, being treated for a skin condition, confined, or under its owner's immediate control. When animal control picks up a loose dog, Sec 3-28 requires the county shelter to hold it at least five days, or five additional days if it is wearing identification, before it can be deemed abandoned.
Violations & Fines
Sec 3-36 does not itself state a penalty, so a violation falls under Chapter 3's general penalty clause, Sec 3-2, a class 4 misdemeanor. A dog picked up running at large is confined at the county shelter for a minimum of five days, and reclaiming it costs an impound fee that rises with prior confinements ($25 first time, $35 second time, $50 for three or more), plus a $10 daily boarding fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to keep my dog on a leash in unincorporated Montgomery County?
Are there any exceptions to the at-large rule?
What happens if animal control picks up my loose dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Virginia animal ordinances overview
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