Kings County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Public areas
- leash required
- Leash must be
- held by capable person
- Private property
- owner permission required
- Violation class
- infraction (§4-10)
Summary
Dogs in unincorporated Kings County must be on a leash held continuously by a capable handler whenever off the owner's own property, in any public street, park, or open place.
It is unlawful for any person to allow or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him to be on any public street, alley, lane, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in any area of the county unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog, or unless the dog is securely confined in a vehicle.
It is unlawful for any person to allow or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him to be on any private property in any area of the county without the permission of the person owning or occupying said private property.
(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 4-66's restraint ordinance bars any dog owned or controlled by a person from being on a public street, alley, lane, park, or other public place unless it is securely leashed with the leash held continuously by a responsible person capable of controlling it, or confined in a vehicle. It is likewise unlawful to let a dog onto private property without the owner's or occupant's permission. Sec. 4-67 backs this with a broader at-large ban covering any animal, and loose dogs can be impounded under Sec. 4-70 at the owner's expense.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog run unleashed in public, or onto private property without permission, violates Sec. 4-66/4-67 and is an infraction under Sec. 4-10; loose dogs may be impounded under Sec. 4-70.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to leash my dog in unincorporated Kings County?
What about my own yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.