In designated congested areas of unincorporated Washoe County, dogs must be leashed off their owner's premises. Outside congested areas, a dog must be accompanied and under voice or signal control. Letting a dog run at large is unlawful and the animal may be impounded.
Washoe County Code (WCC) 55.100 imposes an 'absolute duty' to keep dogs and other animals restrained on the premises in congested areas, and bans off-leash dogs in public parks except designated dog parks or training areas. WCC 55.010 defines 'at large': inside congested areas a dog is at large if off the premises and not under physical restraint (leash, cord, chain); elsewhere it must be accompanied and under immediate control by restraint, signal or voice. WCC 55.460 makes it unlawful for any animal except cats to be at large in congested areas. Cities of Reno and Sparks set their own leash rules.
Any animal (except cats) found at large in a congested area may be taken up and impounded at the animal services center; owner pays impound and redemption fees. Violation is a misdemeanor-level code offense.
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