Tulare County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 4-07-5000, "Dogs at Large," is the operative rule: no person may permit a dog to stray from the private property the owner or custodian owns or lawfully possesses unless the dog is restrained by a leash or lead not exceeding eight feet. Five exceptions apply: a dog assisting a peace officer or a search-and-rescue effort at law enforcement's request; a dog enrolled in and actively participating in a training, obedience, exhibition or competition event with the property operator's permission; a dog assisting an owner or custodian in herding or controlling livestock; a dog accompanying a person lawfully hunting, either where hunting is allowed or on private property with the owner's written permission; and a dog inside a legally designated leash-free park or enclosure.

A companion provision, § 4-07-5010, makes it a misdemeanor if a dog running at large causes injury, and that section expressly preserves any harsher state or federal criminal liability for the resulting injury, property damage or death. Under § 4-07-5200, any dog found at large may be impounded at the Animal Shelter, and Animal Services must attempt to notify a microchipped or licensed dog's owner of the impoundment location and redemption procedure. This chapter, and the leash requirement specifically, governs only the unincorporated county: an address inside Visalia, the City of Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba, Exeter, Woodlake or any other incorporated city is governed by that city's own leash ordinance, not this section.