Union City, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length
- Six feet maximum
- Exception
- Working dogs under control
- Off-leash allowed
- City-approved dog runs only
- After a bite
- 10-day quarantine required
- Violation
- Misdemeanor
Summary
Dogs cannot run at large in Union City; off their owner's property, they must be on a leash no longer than six feet and under a competent handler's control at all times.
No owner or keeper of a dog shall allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run at large in or upon any public place or premises, or in or upon any private place or premises other than those of the owner or keeper except with the consent of the person in charge of the private place or premises, unless such dog is securely restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six feet in length and is in charge and control of a person competent to keep such dog under effective charge and control.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Section 8.12.010 bars any dog, licensed or not, from running at large on public property or on private property without the occupant's consent, unless it's on a leash no more than six feet long and under a person's effective control. Working dogs actively hunting, herding, or guarding are exempt while controlled, and dogs may run loose in a City-approved dog run. A dog that bites can be quarantined ten days at the owner's expense under Section 8.12.020.
Violations & Fines
Allowing a dog to run at large is a misdemeanor under Chapter 8.12; a biting or rabies-suspect dog must be quarantined ten days at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog's leash be in Union City?
Can my dog ever be off-leash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle dog leash laws.