San Clemente Municipal Code 6.12.010 requires dogs on any street, alley, or public property to be restrained by a chain or leash no longer than six feet, held by a competent person. Dogs are barred from beaches, the pier, and the golf course.
SCMC 6.12.010 (recodified by Ord. 1797, eff. 11-4-2025) makes it unlawful to allow a dog on public property unless on a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet under a competent person's charge. Under SCMC 6.12.020, dogs are prohibited on public beaches, the municipal pier, the golf course, and parks, except leashed on the beach trail, municipal trails, and parks the City Council designates; off-leash is allowed only in designated dog parks. SCMC 6.12.040 lets a dog run at large on its owner's own premises, except unspayed females in heat. Animal control is the Coastal Animal Services Authority (CASA), the San Clemente-Dana Point joint powers authority running the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter (949-492-1617), not OC Animal Care.
Enforced by CASA animal control. A first offense is an infraction with an administrative fine (SCMC 1.16.010); a third Title 6 violation within a year is a misdemeanor (SCMC 6.04.070). Loose dogs may be impounded with redemption fees.
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