Moreno Valley, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- MVMC § 10.02.080
- Covered animals
- All animals except cats
- Electric/invisible fence
- Not sufficient restraint (§10.02.010)
- Injury/safety threat
- Misdemeanor under §10.02.080(E)
- Exemption
- On-duty police dogs (§10.02.080(D))
Summary
Moreno Valley bans letting any animal except a cat "run at large" within the city under Section 10.02.080, covering dogs and other pets whether or not the person letting them loose is the owner. An at-large animal that injures a person or animal, or threatens public health or safety, becomes a misdemeanor under subsection E; on-duty police dogs are exempt.
§ 10.02.080. At large or stray animals.
A. It is unlawful for the owner of any animal, other than a cat, to allow such animal to run at large within the city.
B. It is unlawful for any person, whether or not the owner, to cause any animal, other than a cat, to run at large within the city.
C. It is lawful for any person to take up, in a humane manner, any animal running at large in violation of this chapter and to promptly notify or deliver such animal to the chief animal control officer.
D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any official police dog while such dog is on duty.
E. Any person, whether or not the owner, who allows or causes any animal, other than a cat, to run at large within the city that inflicts injury to any human or animal, or threatens public health or safety while at large, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4887234; v10 updated 2026-04-07).
Full Breakdown
" Even an animal that never leaves the yard can be cited as at large if the property is not "completely confined by a building, wall or fence of sufficient height, strength, and construction to restrain the animal," or if it strays onto a neighbor's property. Anyone may lawfully take up a loose animal "in a humane manner" and deliver it to the chief animal control officer under subsection C, and the section exempts an official police dog while on duty under subsection D. The stakes rise under subsection E: an at-large animal that "inflicts injury to any human or animal, or threatens public health or safety" turns the violation into a misdemeanor for whoever let it loose, owner or not. 090, which set redemption fees and hold periods before an animal can be released, destroyed, or placed for adoption.
Violations & Fines
A first at-large violation is typically cited as a municipal infraction, but any at-large incident causing injury or threatening public health or safety is charged as a misdemeanor under Section 10.02.080(E). Repeated at-large findings can also support denial or revocation of an unaltered-dog license under Section 10.02.100(C)(2), which lists "at least three complaints... that the owner...has allowed a dog to be stray or run at large" as grounds for action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Moreno Valley's leash law apply to cats?
Does a fenced yard automatically satisfy the leash law?
What turns an at-large citation into a misdemeanor?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moreno Valley
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