San Jose, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

San Jose's animal-control rules are codified in San Jose Municipal Code Title 7 (Animal Care and Control), administered by the city's Animal Care and Services department (ACS, 408-794-7297). Dogs in any public place - including city streets, sidewalks, parks, and trails - must be restrained on a leash not exceeding six feet in length and under the control of a competent handler. The six-foot maximum on city trails was adopted by ordinance amending Title 7 to replace a previous 20-foot limit, and trail users are also required to keep their dog to the right of the trail. Designated off-leash dog parks (such as Hellyer, Butcher, Watson, Ryland, Saratoga Creek, and Miyuki off-leash areas) are the practical exception, where ACS or Parks and Recreation has authorized off-leash use. Chapter 7.20 of Title 7 governs licensing: under Section 7.20.520 every dog four months of age or older kept in San Jose must be licensed, and Section 7.20.540 sets the license fees, which differ for altered versus unaltered dogs and may include a late fee if the license is not obtained within 30 days of the dog turning four months old or moving to the city. Current rabies vaccination is a prerequisite to licensing. California state law at Food and Agricultural Code Section 30951 authorizes any peace officer or animal control officer to take possession of a stray dog and impound it; statewide rabies-vaccination duties for dogs four months and older are imposed by Health and Safety Code Section 121690. Dogs that bite or attack are handled under California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 31601 through 31683 (the potentially dangerous and vicious dog statutes), with city declaration hearings administered by ACS.