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

020(e): an animal is at large if it's unrestrained by a leash on public property, in the public right-of-way, or in a public facility, or if it's on private property without the owner's permission. 110(a) then requires every animal owner to prevent their animal from being at large at all times, and even for an animal lawfully on any private property, the owner must keep it on a leash, on tether, inside an electronic pet containment system, under direct and effective voice control or command, or in a building or enclosure adequate to physically confine it and meet humane standards.

Anyone who violates the section is guilty of a misdemeanor. 110(b) authorizes the Animal Control Authority to capture, seize, impound, abate or even destroy an animal found at large if doing so serves the animal's or the public's health, safety or welfare, though the Authority cannot seize an animal that strayed but was returned to its owner's property before capture; a citation can still issue in that case. 110(c) requires Animal Control to post written notice on the front door listing where the animal is held and who to contact.

110(e) exempts working dogs such as assistance dogs, guide dogs, guard dogs on duty and dogs in field trials, obedience trials or herding livestock from the voice-control standard, along with any public property posted to permit dogs off-leash.