Maricopa County, AZ Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash limit
- 6 feet maximum, under direct control
- Scope
- Unincorporated Maricopa County only
- Enforcement
- County Enforcement Agent apprehends and impounds
- Penalty
- Class 2 misdemeanor, up to $750
- Citation
- Ordinance P-13, Section 7
Summary
Unincorporated Maricopa County ordinance P-13 prohibits dogs at large: every dog must stay confined to the owner's property or be leashed to six feet and kept under direct control whenever it's off that property.
Within the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County, no dog shall be permitted at large. Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's property, or secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the owner's property, or on a leash not to exceed six feet in length and directly under the owner's control when not on the owner's property.
Full Breakdown
Ordinance P-13, Section 7 bars unincorporated Maricopa County dogs from running at large: each dog must stay confined to the owner's property, secured there, or be on a leash of no more than six feet and under the owner's direct control off the property. A County Enforcement Agent apprehends and impounds any dog at large, and stray dogs held at the county pound are subject to reclaim within 72 hours. Under Section 12, violating the ordinance is a class 2 misdemeanor carrying up to four months in jail, a $750 fine, or both.
Violations & Fines
Running a dog at large is a class 2 misdemeanor: up to four months in jail, a $750 fine, or both, plus impoundment and pound fees to reclaim the dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to leash my dog in unincorporated Maricopa County?
What happens if my dog is caught running at large?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona animal ordinances overview
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