Rochester, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash required
- whenever off owner's premises
- License exemption
- none, applies regardless
- 1st offense fine
- $100 ($200 if unpaid)
- 3rd+ offense fine
- $500 ($1,000 if unpaid)
- Min tether length
- 5 feet (§ 31-4.1)
- Class refund
- up to $50 off penalty
Summary
Every dog in Rochester must be restrained by a leash whenever off the owner's premises, under Code § 31-4, regardless of whether the dog is tagged or licensed. Leash and tethering violations run $100 to $200 for a first offense up to $500 to $1,000 for a third or later offense under § 31-17(A)(2).
§ 31-4. All dogs to be leashed. All dogs in the City of Rochester are hereby required to be restrained by a leash while off the owner's premises, whether such dogs are or are not tagged or licensed; provided, however, that dogs are permitted to be unleashed while off the owner's premises when on the premises of another person with such other person's consent; and no person who owns, keeps, harbors or has the care, custody or control of any dog in the City of Rochester shall permit such dog to be at large or unleashed in said City except as permitted by this chapter. Whenever a dog is outside the owner's house on the owner's premises or on the premises of another with that person's consent, such dog must be under the control of the owner, on a leash or in a fenced area so that said dog cannot leave the premises. A leash shall not extend beyond the premises onto other premises without that property owner's consent or onto public property, or the dog will be considered unleashed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4935326; v86 updated 2026-06-16; through 06-16-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 31-4 requires every dog in the city to be leashed off the owner's premises, with one narrow exception: a dog may go unleashed on another person's premises with that person's consent. Even on the owner's own property, a dog outside the house must be under control on a leash or confined in a fenced area so it cannot leave; a leash that extends onto a neighbor's property without consent, or onto public property, counts as the dog being unleashed. A "leashed" dog under § 31-2 must wear a collar or harness of sufficient strength attached to a leash held by someone able to control it.
1, added in 2023, separately bans tethering a dog overnight, tethering with a lead shorter than five feet, or tethering for more than an hour during a blizzard, heavy rain, thunderstorm or snowstorm dropping more than six inches. Dog Control Officers enforce both provisions, and a violator who completes a dog-ownership class approved by Animal Services can get up to a $50 refund on a leash-law penalty under § 31-17(C). The leash requirement does not apply to guide, hearing, service or police work dogs performing their duties.
Violations & Fines
Leash and tethering violations of §§ 31-4 and 31-4.1 carry escalating fines under § 31-17(A)(2): $100 initial penalty ($200 upon default) for a first offense, $250 ($500 default) for a second offense, and $500 ($1,000 default) for a third or later offense. A $50 refund is available for completing an approved dog-ownership class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need to be on a leash in my own backyard in Rochester?
What's the fine for a first unleashed-dog violation in Rochester?
Can I tether my dog outside overnight in Rochester?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rochester
New York rules heatmap·Compare Rochester to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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