Butte County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Countywide at-large ban
- Sec. 4-1, dogs off owner's property
- Leash length limit
- 6 feet max under Sec. 4-1.5
- First-offense fine
- $50 minimum, infraction
- Third+ offense fine
- $300 minimum
- Leash law area
- Unincorporated spheres of Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville, Paradise
- Impoundment authority
- Sec. 4-1.3 abatement process
Summary
Butte County bans dogs from running loose under Section 4-1, and Section 4-1.5 adds a specific leash standard for the unincorporated areas near Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville and Paradise: a flexible rope, strap, cord or chain no longer than six feet, kept in the effective control of a capable adult. Violations are infractions with fines that climb from $50 to $300 per Section 4-1.4.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in sections 4-1 through 4-1.3, this section shall apply in the unincorporated areas of the county as described in section 4-1.6. Within the unincorporated areas described in section 4-1.6, it shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing or having custody or control of a dog, except a service dog, to allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run in or upon any public or private place or premises within the county other than those of such owner or custodian, except in the following instances: (a)Upon the private premises of another, by and with the consent of the owner of such private premises;(b)Upon a public street, sidewalk or way while under the effective control of the person who has the dog under control by a leash as defined herein, capable of controlling and who does maintain effective control of such dog at all times to the end that such dog shall not be allowed to commit any act of nuisance. "Leash" is hereby defined as a flexible rope, strap, cord or chain, not over six (6) feet in length, of such strength and design as to be capable of restraining the dog for which it is being used to lead or restrain.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
Section 4-1 makes it unlawful countywide for any dog owner or custodian, other than for a service dog, to let the animal run loose on public or private property besides the owner's own, except with the consent of another property owner or while under a person's effective control on a public street or sidewalk. 6, the Local Agency Formation Commission spheres of influence surrounding Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville and the Town of Paradise, and adds a concrete leash definition: a flexible rope, strap, cord or chain not over six feet long, strong enough to restrain the dog it is used on.
Outside a leash, control on a public street also satisfies the law if the handler maintains effective control preventing any nuisance act. 2 lists specific nuisance acts, including biting or harassing a person, roaming while in heat, destroying property, howling or barking disturbances, and leaving excrement on someone else's property that the owner fails to remove immediately. 3's abatement process, and the district attorney can pursue civil abatement in addition to any citation.
Violations & Fines
Violating Sections 4-1, 4-1.2(e), 4-1.2(f) or 4-1.5 is charged as an infraction under Section 4-1.4, with fines of at least $50 for a first offense, $150 for a second offense, and $300 for a third or later offense, all counted within a rolling twelve-month period. No part of these fines can be suspended by the court. A loose dog can also be impounded under Section 4-1.3, and the district attorney may separately pursue civil nuisance abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog leash be in Butte County?
Is it illegal to let my dog run loose anywhere in unincorporated Butte County?
What's the fine for a loose dog in Butte County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Butte County
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