St. Louis County, MN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Ordinance No. 56, enacted under Minn. 51, governs conduct within the Mesabi Trail Corridor, defined as any land or water area and facilities within the trail's right-of-way in St. Louis County. Section 3, the ordinance's general conduct rules, makes it unlawful to bring or allow a pet onto the corridor except on a leash not exceeding six feet in length; a 'pet' is defined in Section 2(J) as any tamed, domesticated animal kept as a companion. The trail is patrolled by Rangers, defined as persons vested by the St.

Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority with authority to enforce trail ordinances and issue permits, and Section 11 confirms licensed peace officers may also enforce the ordinance, issue citations, and eject violators from the corridor. A Ranger can revoke a permit for cause, including a permittee's violation of any trail ordinance, rule, or regulation. This is the only leash or animal-restraint rule found in the county's ordinance set; St. Louis County has no separate at-large or countywide dog-leash ordinance, so outside the Mesabi Trail right-of-way, leash requirements fall to individual cities and townships under Minnesota's home-rule licensing framework.