Vacaville, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

070 flatly prohibits an owner or handler from letting a dog run at large in any public park, public square, school or school grounds, or commercial district, and any dog caught running at large there may be immediately seized and impounded. 080 sets the general public-place rule: a dog may walk or run on a highway, street, alley, or other public place only if restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet, under the physical control of a capable handler, or if inside a designated off-leash area and the dog is an anestrus female or neutered male at least four months old, vaccinated for rabies, leptospirosis, and DHPPC, and kept under verbal control by a handler who stays in the area and removes the dog at the first sign of aggression.

090 carves out an exception for ranch or similar undeveloped property, where dogs may run at large with the landowner's permission, except unspayed females during the copulative season. 081. 190(B)-(D) bars officers from seizing a leashed-dog-ordinance violator that has not strayed from the owner's own property, limiting enforcement to a citation in that circumstance.