Ridgecrest, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Ridgecrest regulates dogs and other animals under Chapter 3 of the Ridgecrest Municipal Code (RMC), titled 'Animals.' Article I (In General) contains the city's core leash and at-large rules. RMC Sec. 3-1 defines 'dog' as both male and female dogs irrespective of age and identifies the animal control officer and (county) health officer as enforcement authorities. RMC Sec. 3-3 ('Duty of animal control officer') directs the animal control officer to take and impound all animals except cats found at large upon any street, sidewalk, lane, alley, or other public or unoccupied place within the city, except animals fastened securely by a chain, rope, or leash, or confined securely within private property legally controlled by the person in possession of the animal. RMC Sec. 3-4 ('Leash law') is the operative restraint provision for dogs: it is unlawful for any person owning, harboring, or having the care, custody, or possession of any dog to keep or maintain any dog in any place in the city except fastened securely by a chain, rope, harness, or leash, or except confined securely within private property legally controlled by that person. Unlike many California cities, the Ridgecrest leash law does not state a specific maximum leash length and does not list city-designated off-leash dog park exceptions in the codified text. RMC Sec. 3-6 prohibits abandoning or turning loose to run at large any animal unfit for further use. RMC Sec. 3-45 and Sec. 3-46 require licensing and rabies vaccination for dogs over four months old. State authority is California Food & Agricultural Code Division 14 (sections 30501 et seq.), with section 30951 requiring a collar with an identifying tag or license tag on dogs over four months. Local administration is by the city animal control officer, with citation authority shared by the chief of police and deputies under RMC Sec. 3-12.