Tehama County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- No dogs at large off-property
- Compliant control
- Substantial leash + physical control
- Exceptions
- Police, S&R, herding, hunting, training
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Tehama County only
Summary
In unincorporated Tehama County, California a dog may not run at large off its owner's property; on a leash and under physical control is the exception that keeps an owner compliant.
No person shall permit a dog to run at large from private property owned by the owner of such dog, or from private property to which such owner has a right of possession, except in the following situations:
A.When the dog is assisting a law enforcement officer in the performance of police work;B.When the dog is assisting a duly authorized person in an official search and rescue operation;C.When the dog is assisting its owner in working, herding or controlling livestock;D.When the dog is assisting its owner in hunting on private property with the consent of the owner, lessee or other person in control thereof;E.When the dog is participating in a dog training class, exhibition or competition, or an ongoing training program related thereto, under the direction and control of a dog trainer or other qualified person on public property with the consent of the owner or operator of the grounds or facilities, or on private property with the consent of the owner, lessee or other person in control thereof;F.For purposes of this section, a dog cannot be deemed to be running at large if it is restrained by a substantial leash and is under the physical control of its owner. (Ord. 1798 § 2(part), 2003)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Tehama County Code § 7.25.050 bars letting a dog run at large from private property, with narrow exceptions for police work, search and rescue, herding livestock, hunting with landowner consent, and supervised training classes. Critically, the section defines "at large" so a dog on a substantial leash and under its owner's physical control is never considered at large, effectively setting the county's leash standard. This applies only to unincorporated Tehama County. Red Bluff, Corning, and the City of Tehama each enforce their own leash and animal-control ordinances.
Violations & Fines
Violating this section is enforceable by animal regulation officers, who may impound the dog; the owner can face impoundment fees and civil penalties under the county's fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need to be on a leash in unincorporated Tehama County?
Are there exceptions to the leash rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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