Madera County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- unincorporated Madera County
- Counts as at large unless
- leashed, held or fenced
- Consequence
- seizure and impoundment
- Exempt
- hunting, stock, show, K9 dogs
Summary
Unincorporated Madera County bars dogs from running loose on public streets, parks or private property without permission; a dog counts as at large unless leashed, held, vehicle-restrained or fenced.
No person owning any animal or having the care, custody, control or possession of any animal shall offer, allow or permit such animal to run, be or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public place, or upon any private property without permission of the owner of said property. All dogs may be deemed running at large within the meaning of this section unless tied, restrained by chain, strap or cord attached to their collars, actually held by some person, or tied or restrained in an automobile or other vehicle, or unless such dog is staked or fastened or restrained within a fenced area. Any animal found running at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public place, or upon any private property without permission of the owner of said property within Madera County dog zone, shall be subject to seizure and impoundment at the animal control center.
(Ord. 479 § 2(part), 1984).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Madera County Code § 6.04.580 makes it unlawful for an owner or custodian to let a dog run, be, or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public place, or on private property without the owner's permission. A dog counts as running at large unless tied or restrained by a chain, strap or cord attached to its collar, actually held by a person, restrained in a vehicle, or staked or fastened within a fenced area. Dogs found at large anywhere in the county's unincorporated dog zone can be seized and impounded. Working stock, hunting, show and police K9 dogs are exempt while performing that work.
Violations & Fines
A dog found running at large anywhere in the unincorporated Madera County dog zone is subject to seizure and impoundment at the animal control center, with redemption and impoundment fees set by board resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in my own yard in unincorporated Madera County?
What happens if animal control catches my dog running loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
California rules heatmap·Compare Madera County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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