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Nassau County, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Max outdoor tether time
1 hour per 12-hour period
Minimum tether length
10 feet
Cold-weather cutoff
banned below 35°F
Heat cutoff
banned above 85°F
Third offense penalty
Class A misdemeanor

Summary

Nassau County bars tethering a dog or other animal outdoors for more than 1 hour in any 12-hour period, sets minimum tether length and weight limits, and bans outdoor restraint in extreme heat or cold county-wide.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Nassau County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

No person shall tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain or tie an animal to any stationary object outdoors for more than 1 hour in any 12-hour period.

Source: Nassau County CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

Nassau County's Tethering Law bans leaving a dog or other animal tied, chained, or otherwise restrained to a stationary object outdoors for more than 1 hour in any 12-hour period. Restraints under 10 feet long, choke/prong collars, or tethers exceeding 10% of the animal's body weight are prohibited outright, and outdoor confinement is banned when the temperature drops below 35 degrees or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The law does not set a general public leash requirement -- Nassau's towns, cities, and villages each handle that separately. It applies county-wide but yields to any town, city, or village with substantially similar legislation of its own.

Violations & Fines

First offense: up to $500. Second offense: up to $750. Third or subsequent offense: a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. Enforced by the Nassau County Police Department and the Nassau County SPCA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nassau County require dogs to be leashed in public?
The county code sets no general public leash mandate -- that's set locally by each town, city, and village (Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Glen Cove, Long Beach). The county law instead restricts outdoor tethering.
How long can I chain my dog outside in Nassau County?
No more than 1 hour in any 12-hour period, and never when it's below 35°F or above 85°F outside, under the county's Tethering Law (Miscellaneous Laws Title 86).
What's the penalty for violating the tethering law?
Up to $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second, and a Class A misdemeanor -- up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine -- for a third or later offense.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Nassau County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsWildlife FeedingSignificant RestrictionsPet Store RulesSome RestrictionsPet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsBird ProtectionSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree TrimmingSome RestrictionsTree Protection: Parkway PlantingSome RestrictionsInvasive Plant Rules: Prohibited SpeciesSignificant Restrictions

All Nassau County rules

New York rules heatmap·Compare Nassau County to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview

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