Taylorsville, UT Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Taylorsville City Code § 8.07.008 makes running at large unlawful for every owner, handler, or person harboring an animal, and the owner is strictly liable for violations even if precautions were taken to prevent escape or the owner didn't know the animal was loose; the owner is also liable in damages for any injuries the animal causes while at large. The only carve-out in the section is for the release of seamless banded pigeons for exercise or performance, which is not treated as running at large.

Restraint itself is defined in § 8.01.019: an animal is restrained when it is on a leash or lead not exceeding six feet (6') in length, confined in another physical enclosure, or kept within the real property limits of the owner. 'Animal at large' is defined in § 8.01.002 as any animal, licensed or not, that is not under restraint imposed by its owner or handler, so the leash rule reaches cats and other pets, not just dogs. Enforcement runs through Salt Lake County Animal Services under contract to the City (the 'division') or the Taylorsville Police Department, either of which may issue a citation.

Under § 8.03.001, most Title 8 violations, including running at large, may be pursued through the Title 18 administrative code enforcement hearing program or as a civil action in district court, at the City's sole discretion; the correction period an animal control officer would otherwise give under § 18.04.030 can be waived and an administrative citation issued immediately. Chronic offenders face escalation: § 8.05.008 lets the director seek a court order revoking a pet's license for a full year after three violations of the Title within twelve months, with impoundment pending compliance.