Montgomery County, MD Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code § 5-203(a)(1)
- Class B civil violation
- $100 first, $150 repeat
- Exemption
- Altered cats only
- HOA common areas
- Not the owner's premises
- Enforced by
- Office of Animal Services
Summary
County law bans letting a dog run at large, meaning off the owner's property and off-leash, except in designated exercise areas or organized activities.
At large: A dog, except a service animal, is at large if it is outside the owner's premises and not leashed, unless it is in a dog exercise area designated by either the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission or a municipality, or is participating in a qualified activity... An owner must not: (1) Allow an animal other than an altered cat to be at large.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County Code § 5-203(a)(1) makes it a violation for an owner to "allow an animal other than an altered cat to be at large." Section 5-101 defines a dog as "at large" if it is outside the owner's premises and not leashed, unless it is in a dog exercise area designated by M-NCPPC or a municipality, or participating in a qualified activity. The common area of an HOA, condo, or co-op does not count as the owner's premises, so dogs must be leashed there too.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of Sec. 5-203(a)(1) alone is a Class B civil violation: up to $100 for an initial offense, $150 for a repeat, under Sec. 5-305(a),(c) and the county-wide fine schedule at Sec. 1-19. Each day is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in an HOA common area?
Is there any place a dog can run off-leash legally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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