Santa Ana Dog Leash Laws Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of Santa Ana Municipal Code Chapter 5 (Animals) requires that all dogs be restrained by a leash and under the control of a responsible person when off the owner's private property. The leash must be no longer than 6 feet in length, and the person handling the dog must be physically capable of restraining and controlling the animal at all times. This leash requirement applies on all public streets, sidewalks, parks, trails, school grounds, and any other public area within the city.

Santa Ana is one of the most densely populated cities in California, with over 310,000 residents concentrated in 27 square miles. The city's parks, sidewalks, and public spaces see extremely heavy use, making leash compliance critical for public safety. Unleashed dogs in crowded public spaces create risks for pedestrians, children, cyclists, and other animals. The city currently has no designated off-leash dog parks or fenced dog runs within its boundaries, meaning that all public areas require dogs to be leashed at all times. Residents seeking off-leash dog facilities typically travel to neighboring cities such as Irvine, Costa Mesa, or Huntington Beach.

Orange County Animal Care (OCAC) provides animal control services for Santa Ana under a contract arrangement and is responsible for enforcing leash law violations, responding to loose dog complaints, and impounding stray animals. Residents may report loose dogs and leash law violations by contacting OCAC at (714) 935-6848. OCAC officers patrol Santa Ana and may issue citations for unleashed dogs encountered in public areas.

All dogs in Santa Ana over 4 months of age must be licensed through Orange County Animal Care and must have a current rabies vaccination. Dog license fees are reduced for spayed or neutered animals. Owners are also responsible for cleaning up after their dogs on all public property — failure to pick up dog waste is a separate citable offense under the municipal code.