O'Fallon, MO Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length required
- 8 feet minimum when off property
- At-large ban
- § 210.030(A)(1)
- First impoundment fee
- $20
- First-offense fine
- $50 minimum
- Invisible Fence allowed
- Only as secondary restraint
Summary
O'Fallon bans letting any dog run at large within city limits. The code defines at large as off the owner's premises and not on a leash shorter than eight feet, controlled by someone physically able to stop the dog from running free.
Shall not permit the animal to be at large within the City limits. [Section 210.030(A)(1)] ... AT LARGE: Off the premises of the owner and not on a leash of less than eight (8) feet in length controlled by some person physically able to prevent the animal from running free. [Section 210.020]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4860992; v58 updated 2026-05-14; through 05-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
020 defines AT LARGE as being off the premises of the owner and not on a leash of less than eight (8) feet in length controlled by some person physically able to prevent the animal from running free. Together these sections mean a dog off its owner's property must be on a leash no shorter than eight feet and under the physical control of a capable handler; an unleashed dog, or one on a leash but unattended or attached to someone unable to restrain it, is at large under the ordinance.
035. Owners must additionally keep the dog vaccinated against rabies with a current St. Charles County Department of Health tag under Subsection (A)(5), and may use an electronic containment system such as an Invisible Fence as a secondary restraint under Subsection (A)(7), but that system does not substitute for a visible primary enclosure. 110.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog run at large violates Section 210.030(A)(1) and is punishable under Section 210.120(A)(1): a minimum $50 fine for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $150 for a third or subsequent offense, with each dog and each day of the violation treated as a separate offense. Impoundment fees of $20 to $60 plus daily shelter boarding costs apply on top of any court fine before an owner can redeem the dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must a dog's leash be in O'Fallon?
What happens if my dog is picked up running loose in O'Fallon?
Can I use an Invisible Fence instead of a leash in O'Fallon?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in O'Fallon
Compare O'Fallon to another location·View the Missouri animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.