Pomona, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Maximum leash length
- 6 feet
- Handler requirement
- Must be a "competent person"
- Coverage
- Public places and others' private property
- Vicious dogs
- Must also be muzzled (Sec. 6-47)
Summary
Pomona requires every dog off its owner's property to be on a chain or leash no longer than six feet and under the control of a competent person, under City Code Sec. 6-46. The rule covers public streets, alleys and other public places as well as any private property other than the dog owner's own.
No person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of any dog in the city shall cause or permit such dog to be at large or to run upon any highway, street, lane, alley or other public place or upon any private property or premises other than those of such person unless such dog is controlled by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, control, custody or possession of a competent person.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: City Code: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-46 bars an owner, harborer, or custodian from allowing a dog to run at large on any highway, street, lane, alley or other public place, or on any private property other than the dog's own, unless the dog is controlled by a substantial chain or leash of six feet or less and is in the charge of a competent person. The rule reaches beyond public streets: entering a neighbor's yard without the owner's consent is a leash-law violation even if the street itself is not involved.
A dog found unleashed and at large can also be impounded, and Sec. if a neighbor reports it as a nuisance and the owner cannot be reached. Owners of dogs classified as vicious under Sec. 6-47, meaning a dog that has broken skin on more than one occasion off its own property or that severely injures or kills, face a stricter standard: such dogs must be muzzled and held on leash by an able-bodied person whenever off the owner's property, not merely leashed.
Violations & Fines
Allowing a dog to run at large off a leash of six feet or less, or without a competent handler, violates Sec. 6-46 and, like other chapter 6 offenses, is a misdemeanor or infraction at the discretion of the city attorney or Los Angeles County district attorney under Sec. 6-2, or may draw an administrative citation from the shelter manager under Sec. 6-10. A vicious dog off-leash without a muzzle under Sec. 6-47 is a straight misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog leash be in Pomona?
Does Pomona's leash law apply in my neighbor's yard?
Are vicious dogs held to a stricter leash standard in Pomona?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pomona
California rules heatmap·Compare Pomona to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle dog leash laws.