Royal Oak, MI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 195-16 of the 1973 Dog Ordinance sets out four situations that make it unlawful for an owner to let a dog off the owner's premises. Under Subsection A, a female dog in heat cannot leave the premises unless held on a leash. Under Subsection B, no dog may stray beyond its owner's premises unless under 'reasonable control,' a term defined in § 195-9 as being kept on a suitable leash, cord, chain or rope of sufficient strength while controlled by the owner, a family member or another person with the owner's permission, except while the dog is confined on the owner's property or inside a closed vehicle or shipping container.

Subsection C separately requires that any dog leaving its owner's premises, under any conditions, be immunized against rabies, though the section expressly allows an owner to transport an unvaccinated dog to a veterinarian's office for immunization. Subsection D, added in 2003, bars a dog from entering any park posted with a 'No Dogs Allowed' sign, with an exception for blind, deaf or service dogs defined by reference to MCLA §§ 393.351, 752.61 and 125.1351. A dog found running at large may be seized under § 195-18 and taken to the City pound operated by the Dog Warden, and an owner reclaiming an impounded dog must pay an impounding fee and a boarding fee set by City Commission resolution and show a current license under § 195-19. Unclaimed impounded dogs may be humanely destroyed after one week under § 195-19B.