Olympia, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At large (dog)
- Off premises or vehicle and not under leash, carrier, or voice command control
- Public parks, beaches, school grounds
- Leash held by a person able to maintain physical control
- Leash exemptions
- Guide dogs, necessary service animals, designated fenced dog areas
- At large penalty
- Class 3, then Class 2, then Class 1 within 18 months
- Off leash on public property
- Class 4 civil infraction
Summary
In the City of Olympia, Washington, a dog found off the premises or outside the owner's vehicle and not under control by leash, carrier, or demonstrated voice command is at large under OMC 6.04.030(D). In a public park, beach, or school ground a dog must be on a leash held by a person able to maintain physical control.
1. When a dog, licensed or not, is found off the premises or outside the vehicle of the owner and not under control of a person by means of a leash, carrier, or demonstrated voice command. ... A. Pet animal at large. ... Such person’s pet animal, except cats, is at large as defined in Section 6.04.030(D); provided, however, this section shall not prohibit the owner and pet animal from participating in an organized show or training, exercise, or hunting session in locations designated and authorized for that purpose. ... C. Pet animal on public property. Such person’s pet animal is on public property such as a public park, beach, or school ground and is not on a leash held by a person who is able to maintain physical control, ... Such restrictions shall not apply to cats, guide dogs for the visually impaired, service animals for the physically handicapped where being off leash is necessary to the service, or to dogs on fenced areas of public property specifically designated by the City of Olympia as areas for dogs without the requirement of a leash.
Full Breakdown
Two sections of the Olympia Municipal Code carry the leash rules. OMC 6.04.050(A) prohibits a pet animal, except cats, from being at large, and OMC 6.04.030(D) defines the term. A dog, licensed or not, is at large when it is found off the premises or outside the vehicle of the owner and not under control of a person by means of a leash, carrier, or demonstrated voice command. Demonstrated voice command means the person can cause the dog to immediately heel by giving an appropriate voice command. A pet animal is also at large when it interferes with pedestrian, bicycle or vehicular movement, causes reasonable affront or alarm to a person, or has caused injury, damage or trespass.
OMC 6.04.030(R) defines a leash as a cord, thong, or chain by which a dog is controlled by the person accompanying it. OMC 6.04.030(BB) defines restrained as secured by a leash and under physical control of a person with the strength and judgment to handle the animal, or tethered to a stationary object which keeps the animal confined to the owner's property or premises.
Public property has its own rule in OMC 6.04.050(C): in a public park, beach, or school ground, the pet animal must be on a leash held by a person who is able to maintain physical control. Posted restrictions also bind. The rule does not apply to guide dogs for the visually impaired, to service animals where being off leash is necessary to the service, or to dogs in fenced areas of public property specifically designated by the City of Olympia as areas for dogs without the requirement of a leash. The at-large rule also allows an owner and pet animal to take part in an organized show or training, exercise, or hunting session in locations designated and authorized for that purpose.
Dogs declared potentially dangerous must be securely leashed and under the control of a person physically able to control them away from the owner's premises, and dangerous dogs must be muzzled and leashed under OMC 6.04.110(D). An officer can impound any pet animal at large under OMC 6.04.100(A).
Violations & Fines
A dog at large is a Class 3 civil infraction on a first violation, a Class 2 on a second within an 18-month period and a Class 1 on a third under OMC 6.04.120(A)(2). A dog off leash on public property is a Class 4 civil infraction under OMC 6.04.120(B)(1). Four or more violations of the subsection (A) offenses within 18 months are a misdemeanor, with a fine not exceeding $1,000, ninety days, or both under OMC 6.04.130(A). Impounded dogs are reclaimed within a 48-hour hold period, excluding Sundays and holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off leash in the City of Olympia if it obeys voice commands?
Are there off-leash areas in Olympia?
What is the penalty for a dog running at large?
Do service dogs have to be leashed in parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Olympia
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