Santa Maria, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length allowed on sidewalks
- 6 feet or less
- Off-leash anywhere at large
- Unlawful, a misdemeanor
- Enforcement
- Animal Control Officer may impound
- 3 at-large citations in 12 months
- Blocks Unaltered License
- Governing section
- SMMC § 5-3.201
Summary
Santa Maria bans letting any dog run at large on sidewalks, streets or other public places, or on private property without the owner's permission. Section 5-3.201 lets dogs onto public sidewalks only on a leash six feet or shorter under the immediate control of the handler, and an Animal Control Officer may impound any loose dog.
It is unlawful for any person owning or having custody or control of any dog to allow, cause or permit such dog to be at large in or upon any sidewalk, street or other public place in the City or in or upon any private property or area in the City without the express permission of the owner or custodian of such property or area; provided, that dogs may be permitted upon the sidewalks and other public places of the City if on a leash six feet in length or less and under the immediate care and control of the owner or other person having custody or control thereof. An Animal Control Officer may impound any dog found running at large. Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4818069; v9 updated 2026-04-07).
Full Breakdown
201 of the Municipal Code makes it unlawful for any person owning or having custody of a dog to allow it to be at large on a sidewalk, street or other public place in Santa Maria, or on private property without the express permission of the owner or person controlling that property. The only exception is a dog on the public sidewalks and other public places if it is on a leash six feet in length or less and under the immediate care and control of the owner or handler.
Any Animal Control Officer may impound a dog found running at large, and the owner is responsible for the impound fees before the dog is released. 203 to determine whether it must be declared restricted or vicious, with consequences ranging from mandatory microchipping and licensing to euthanasia. Dogs must also carry a current license tag at all times while on public property or on private property without the owner's consent, under the Article 3 licensing requirements enforced by the Animal Services Director.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the at-large rule is a misdemeanor under Section 5-3.201, prosecutable in addition to any impound fees owed to reclaim the dog. Repeated at-large citations carry consequences beyond the misdemeanor charge: an owner cited three times for letting a dog run at large within 12 months is disqualified from obtaining an Unaltered Animal License under Section 5-3.301(b)(1).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to leash my dog in Santa Maria?
What happens if Animal Control catches my dog running loose?
Can my dog be off-leash in my own fenced yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Maria
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Maria to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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