Tuolumne County Dog Leash Laws Rules (2026) — What You Need to Know

Tuolumne County's animal control regulations are codified in Chapter 6.04 of the county ordinance code. The leash law is clear: dogs must be kept on the owner's premises. When taken off the property, they must be under control of a competent person and restrained by a leash no longer than 6 feet.

All dogs must be licensed within 30 days of reaching 4 months of age, moving to the county, or change of ownership. License fees are significantly lower for spayed/neutered dogs — $7.25 per year versus $21.75 per year for unaltered dogs. Three-year licenses are available at $21.75 (altered) and $65.25 (unaltered). Late penalties apply if you miss the deadline, though dogs under 6 months that are spayed or neutered are exempt from late fees.

Rabies vaccination is required by the time a dog reaches 4 months of age, and you'll need the vaccination certificate when applying for a license. Any dog or cat that bites or scratches a person must be quarantined — this can be done at home if the animal's rabies vaccination is current, but it must be kept within four solid walls during the quarantine period.

The chapter also contains provisions for vicious and dangerous animals, animal nuisance complaints, and impoundment. Dogs found at large without identification are held at the shelter; identified dogs trigger owner notification. Tuolumne County Animal Control is located at 10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown, and can be reached at (209) 694-2730.