Sonoma County Code Chapter 5, Section 5-115 prohibits dogs from running at large on public streets, public places, or private property of others. Dogs in public must be restrained by a substantial leash. Section 20-8 requires a maximum 6-foot leash and immediate control in all Sonoma County Regional Parks.
Section 5-115 of the Sonoma County Animal Regulation Ordinance (Chapter 5, Article X) states that no person shall cause, permit or allow any dog to run at large upon any public street or other public place, or upon any private property or premises other than those of the owner, nor shall any person cause, permit or allow any dog to be upon any public street or other public place unless such dog is restrained by a substantial leash held by a person competent to control the dog. Statutory exceptions cover dogs assisting a peace officer in police work, dogs assisting an owner hunting on private property with the landowner's consent, and dogs participating in a training class, exhibition, or competition under the control of a qualified trainer on public property with the owner/operator's consent. Section 20-8 of Chapter 20 (Parks and Recreation) requires that dogs in any Sonoma County Regional Park be restrained on a leash no longer than six feet and remain under the immediate control of a person at all times. Sonoma County Animal Services enforces these rules in unincorporated areas. Incorporated cities (Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Windsor, Cotati, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Cloverdale) have their own parallel municipal codes — Santa Rosa Title 7, Petaluma Title 9, Healdsburg Title 6, Windsor Chapter 4.
Running a dog at large is an infraction enforceable by Sonoma County Animal Services. First-offense fines typically start around $50–$100 and escalate with repeat violations. A loose dog may also be impounded under Chapter 5 of the County Code; the owner is responsible for impound, board, and licensing fees before release. A loose dog that bites or injures a person can trigger a potentially-dangerous-dog hearing under Section 5-126 (public nuisance) and California Food & Agricultural Code §§ 31601–31683.
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