Nassau County, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Nassau County Code § 6-45
- Restraint means
- On-leash control or confined to owner's property
- 1st at-large fine
- $100.00 (§ 6-46(f))
- 3rd at-large fine
- $500.00, plus license revocation
- Impound reclaim fee
- $25.00 plus $10.00 per day
- Minimum hold
- 5 working days before adoption
Summary
In unincorporated Nassau County every dog must be kept under restraint at all times under Sec. 6-45, meaning secured by a leash under a handler's control or confined within the owner's property line. Owners must keep dogs from becoming a public nuisance, and any dog running loose outside those limits is an animal-at-large subject to impoundment by Animal Control.
Restraint means any animal secured by a leash or lead under the control of a responsible person and obedient to that person's commands, or within the real property limits of its owner. However, a hunting dog shall not be considered to be at large when he is found to be within a designated hunting area. ... (a)All animals shall be kept under restraint. However, a hunting dog shall not be considered to be at large when he is found to be under restraint while engaged in hunting.(b)Each owner shall exercise proper care and control of his animals to prevent them from becoming a public nuisance.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 6-40 defines restraint as an animal secured by a leash or lead under the control of a responsible person and obedient to that person's commands, or kept within the real property limits of its owner; a hunting dog working a designated hunting area is not considered at large even off-leash. Sec. 6-45(a) requires that all animals, not just dogs, be kept under this restraint, and Sec. 6-45(b) makes each owner responsible for exercising proper care and control to prevent the animal from becoming a public nuisance.
A dog found outside those bounds is an animal-at-large under the Sec. 6-40 definition and can be picked up under Sec. 00 for each day impounded, doubled for a second impoundment within twelve months. Sec. 00 for a third, payable within seventy-two hours; three or more violations trigger automatic revocation of the dog's license and impoundment. Sec. 6-45(c) additionally requires that a female dog in heat be confined so she cannot contact another animal except for planned breeding, and Sec. 6-45(d) requires any vicious animal to be confined and muzzled or caged whenever off the owner's premises.
Violations & Fines
A first at-large citation under Sec. 6-46(f) costs $100.00, a second $200.00 and a third $500.00, each due to Animal Control within seventy-two hours or the case moves to a magistrate for a criminal warrant. Three or more violations trigger automatic revocation of every license issued to that owner and impoundment of the dog. Impounded dogs cost $25.00 to reclaim plus $10.00 per day held, doubled for repeat impoundments within twelve months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in my own yard in Nassau County?
What fine do I get for a first-time loose dog complaint?
How long is my dog held if Animal Control impounds it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nassau County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Nassau County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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