Redwood City, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 25.2.05
- Max leash length
- 6 feet
- Dog limit per person
- 3 dogs in any park
- Playground buffer
- No dogs within 20 feet
- Enforcement
- Chief of Animal Control impounds unleashed dogs
Summary
Dogs entering any Redwood City park must be led by a leash no longer than six feet, except in areas officially designated off-leash. Dogs are also barred from sports fields and from within 20 feet of playground equipment, and no more than three dogs per person are allowed in a park at once.
No person having the control or care of any dog shall suffer or permit such dog to enter or remain in a park (with the exception of an area so designated as off-leash), unless it is led by a leash of suitable strength. Except as provided in subsections A and B below, provisions of this Section shall not apply to guide dogs, signal dogs or service dogs as such are defined in section 54.1 of the California Civil Code. A.The person controlling, or having the custody of such dog shall be responsible for all damages caused by such dog and shall remove and dispose of their dog's waste. B.Dogs are not permitted:1.On sports fields,2.Within twenty feet (20′) of any installed playground equipment, and3.On a leash longer than six feet (6′) in length. C.No more than three (3) dogs per person are allowed in any park or facility including designated off leash parks and facilities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Zoning Code: Supplement 29 | City Code: Supplement 61 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
05 of the City Code, "Dogs in Parks," bars any person with control or care of a dog from letting it enter or remain in a park unless it is led by a leash of suitable strength, with the only exception being an area the City has specifically designated off-leash. 1 are exempt from the leash-length and location limits in subsections A and B. Subsection B sets three specific restrictions: dogs are not permitted on sports fields, within 20 feet of any installed playground equipment, or on a leash longer than six feet, and these limits apply even inside designated off-leash areas for the fields and playground-distance rules.
Subsection C caps the number of dogs at three per person in any park or facility, including the off-leash areas. The person controlling or holding custody of the dog is personally responsible for any damage the dog causes and must remove and dispose of its waste (Sec. 05(A)). Any unleashed dog in a park is declared a public nuisance under subsection D, and the Chief of Animal Control (defined in Chapter 5 of the Code) is directed to abate the nuisance by impounding the animal as soon as it is reported, regardless of whether the dog is licensed; any City officer or employee is separately authorized to remove an unleashed dog from park property.
Violations & Fines
An unleashed dog in a Redwood City park, or one on a leash longer than six feet, is declared a public nuisance under Sec. 25.2.05(D) and can be impounded by the Chief of Animal Control regardless of licensing status. Any City officer or employee may also remove the dog from park property on the spot, and the handler remains liable for any damage the dog causes under Sec. 25.2.05(A); violations of Chapter 25 generally are infractions under Sec. 25.2.06, punishable per Sec. 1.7B of the Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can my dog's leash be in a Redwood City park?
Are dogs allowed off-leash anywhere in Redwood City parks?
How many dogs can I bring to a Redwood City park?
What happens if my dog is off-leash in a Redwood City park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redwood City
California rules heatmap·Compare Redwood City to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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