Rohnert Park, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length limit
- no more than six feet in public
- Parks rule
- leashed everywhere except designated off-leash dog parks
- Exemptions
- service dogs, trial/training dogs, on-duty K-9s
- Violation consequence
- impoundment plus redemption and boarding fees
- First infraction fine
- up to $100, escalating to $500 for repeats
Summary
Rohnert Park bars dogs from any public street, road, alley, or public place unless leashed to no more than six feet or safely confined in a vehicle. Dogs are also barred from city parks and playgrounds off-leash outside designated dog parks. Violating animals may be impounded, and service, trial, and law-enforcement dogs are exempt.
B.No person owning or otherwise having a dog in his or her care, charge, control, custody or possession shall cause, permit or allow such dog to be in or upon any public street, road, alley or other public place unless such dog is restrained and under control by a leash no more than six feet in length or confined in a vehicle in a manner allowed under Section 6.04.290 of this Title.C.The restraint requirements provide in this section shall not apply to service or assistance dog; a dog participating in field or obedience trials or an obedience training class; animal exhibitions; or a dog assisting a public safety officer engaged in in law enforcement duties. ... Dogs are prohibited in public parks and playground areas unless such dogs are under physical restraint by a person capable of controlling the dog by means of a leash. This provision shall not apply to any area specifically designated as a dog park or off leash exercise area, or to dogs in an obedience training class operating pursuant to a permit issued by the community services department and within the designated area identified in such permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
290 allows. Subsection (C) exempts service or assistance dogs, dogs in field or obedience trials or training classes, animals at exhibitions, and dogs assisting a public safety officer on duty. Subsection (D) authorizes impoundment of any dog found in a public place, or on someone else's private property without consent, in violation of the restraint requirement. 030 extends the leash rule to city parks and playgrounds: dogs are prohibited there entirely unless kept on a leash by someone capable of controlling them, except inside an area specifically designated as a dog park or off-leash exercise area, or during a permitted obedience training class held within its designated area under a community services department permit. 350. 130.
Violations & Fines
A dog found off-leash in public, or trespassing on private property without consent, can be impounded on the spot, with the owner liable for redemption and boarding fees under § 6.08.150. Most Title 6 violations are infractions under § 1.16.010: up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within twelve months, and $500 for each further repeat, becoming a misdemeanor after three convictions of the same provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a leash be in Rohnert Park?
Are dogs allowed off-leash in Rohnert Park parks?
What happens if my dog is picked up off-leash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rohnert Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Rohnert Park to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle dog leash laws.