Pottstown, PA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length limit
- 6 feet on public ways
- Fine range
- $50 to $600 plus costs
- Jail if unpaid
- Up to 30 days
- Notice period
- 24 hours to abate
- Off-leash exception
- Director-designated exercise areas
Summary
Pottstown bans letting any animal run at large and requires dogs on the street to be leashed with a lead no longer than six feet, under Sections 103 through 105 of Chapter 2. Violators face a fine of $50 to $600 plus costs, or up to 30 days in jail if unpaid.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal to allow or permit such animal to run at large in the Borough of Pottstown. It further shall be unlawful for an animal owner to fail to keep at all times such animal either: ... Firmly secured by means of a collar and leash or lead or other device so that it cannot stray beyond the premises or person on which it is secured. ... It shall be the duty of all animal owners, ... while traveling on the streets, alleys, sidewalks, or public grounds in the Borough of Pottstown, to have the dog or other animal on a leash or lead at all times, not exceeding six feet in length, and to prevent the dog or other animal from entering upon the property of any person or persons in the Borough without the property owner's consent. However, longer leads, such as retractable leads, are permissible in areas where the animal does not present a public hazard or interfere with pedestrians. Collars used to secure leads shall not be of such that would cause harm to the animal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5012545; v22 updated 2026-07-13; through 07-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 103, Running at Large, makes it unlawful for an owner to let any animal run at large in the Borough of Pottstown and requires the animal to be either confined on the owner's premises, firmly secured by a collar and leash so it cannot stray, or under the reasonable control of a person. Section 104, Duty to Secure Animal, extends the same duty to parents or guardians of a minor animal owner. Section 105, Duty to Control Animal, sets the specific street rule: while traveling on streets, alleys, sidewalks or public grounds, a dog or other animal must be on a leash or lead not exceeding six feet, though retractable leads are allowed where the animal does not present a hazard, and collars used to secure leads may not be of a type that causes harm.
Section 103(3) presumes an animal is running at large unless it is on a tether, leash or other controlling device under the owner's immediate control. All three sections carve out an exception for off-leash areas that the Director of Parks and Recreation designates as dog parks or exercise areas. Enforcement starts with a written notice under Section 110, served by certified mail, personal delivery, or delivery to an adult at the residence, giving the owner 24 hours to abate before a complaint can be filed with a District Justice.
Violations & Fines
Section 111 sets the penalty for any violation of Chapter 2, Part 1, at a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $600 plus court costs and the Borough's reasonable attorney's fees, with up to 30 days in jail if the fine and costs go unpaid. Before a citation issues, Section 110 requires written notice giving the owner 24 hours to abate the violation, and that notice stays valid for six months, so a repeat offense within that window needs no second notice before a District Justice complaint is filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk my dog off-leash in Pottstown?
How long can my dog's leash be on a Pottstown street?
What is the fine for letting a dog run at large in Pottstown?
Does Pottstown give notice before citing me for a loose dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pottstown
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