San Antonio, TX Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Sec. 5-19 of the San Antonio Code of Ordinances, enforced by Animal Care Services (ACS), spells out exactly what is required once a dog leaves home: it must be on a leash restraint, and the owner may not guide it onto a neighbor's yard or driveway to defecate. A dog relieving itself must stay in the public right-of-way, and the owner must carry a bag or scoop to remove the waste from any sidewalk or right-of-way next to an improved property. There is no exception written in for a fenced front yard or a well-behaved dog; the leash duty attaches the moment the animal leaves the owner's own lot.

A separate rule reaches dogs that get loose entirely. Sec. 5-150(1) classifies an unrestrained dog as a public nuisance and requires every owner, except cat owners under this clause, to keep the animal restrained at all times. A dog ACS finds running free is subject to mandatory sterilization: ACS either sterilizes the dog before it can be reclaimed or gives the owner 30 days from notice to have it sterilized at the owner's own cost. Sec. 5-154 lets animal care officers or police impound an unrestrained animal from public property in every case, and from private property with the resident's consent or if the officer reasonably believes the dog will run at large if not seized.

Sec. 5-156 allows conditional release of an intact dog found at large if the owner agrees in writing to sterilize it within 30 days, unless the dog qualifies for a medical, exhibition, or police or military service exception. Owners who skip the paperwork risk a citation plus impound, boarding, and sterilization fees before the dog is returned.