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

Riverside County Animal Services, which serves the City of Riverside under contract, enforces countywide leash and licensing rules. All dogs over the age of four months must be licensed and currently vaccinated against rabies. Licenses must be renewed annually (or every three years for multi-year rabies vaccination). When off the owner's property, dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet held by a person capable of controlling the dog; retractable leashes extended beyond 6 feet are non-compliant. Off-leash activity is only permitted in designated, signed off-leash dog parks; Riverside operates several including Bergamont Park Dog Park. Nuisance dogs — those barking excessively, running at large, or defecating without cleanup — are subject to citation. Owners must clean up after their dogs on public property (stoop-and-scoop rule). Dog bites must be reported to Animal Services within 24 hours and trigger a mandatory 10-day rabies quarantine under California Health & Safety Code §121690. Violations start with warnings and escalate to fines; aggressive dogs and repeat offenders can be impounded. Contact: Riverside County Animal Services, (951) 358-7387.