Portland, ME Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Maine Revised Statutes Title 7, § 3911 states: 'It is unlawful for any dog, licensed or unlicensed, to be at large, except when used for hunting.' The owner or keeper of any dog found at large is subject to the civil penalties in § 3915. Portland exercises home-rule authority under 30-A MRS § 3001 and 7 MRS § 3950 (which expressly permits municipalities to adopt animal-control rules as strict as or stricter than state law) through Chapter 5 of the Portland Code of Ordinances (Animals) and through Chapter 16 (Parks and Recreation) rules enforced by Portland Animal Control Officers and the Police Department. Portland's standard practice — consistent with state law — requires that a dog in any public way, sidewalk, or park area not specifically designated for off-leash use be under the direct control of its owner, which in practice means a leash. Portland has designated specific off-leash areas at certain parks (e.g., parts of Baxter Boulevard, Eastern Promenade trail, Valley Street Dog Park) where leashes may be removed during posted hours, and prohibits dogs entirely from certain spaces (e.g., active athletic fields, playgrounds, beaches during posted summer hours). Owners must also clean up after their dogs in any public area.