Hillsborough County, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- On public property
- Direct control required
- Direct control means
- Leash, cord, chain, or fence
- Exceptions
- Permitted hunting, training events
- Max civil penalty
- $500 per citation
- 3rd citation in 24 months
- Mandatory court appearance
Summary
Hillsborough County bars dogs from running loose on streets, sidewalks, or parks and requires that a dog on public property stay under its owner's direct control, such as a leash, cord, chain, or fence.
(a) Excluding public right-of-way on an owner's private property, no dog or cat shall be allowed to stray, run or go, at large upon any public property or street, sidewalk, park, or on the private property of another without the consent of the property owner.
Supp. No. 2 CD6:17 § 6-28 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, LAWS, PART A, GENERAL ORDINANCES
(b) Any cat that is outdoors while not under direct control must be sterilized.
(c) Any dog or cat that is on private property without the consent of the property owner or resident may be captured in a humane trap or otherwise humanely confined. Persons capturing at large dogs or cats will be responsible for the humane care of the animal until the captured animal is turned over to the Department, other humane organization, or licensed wildlife trapper. A person shall not entice a dog or cat to become at large for the purpose of trapping or apprehending when that dog or cat would otherwise not be at large.
(d) In order for a dog or cat to be allowed on a public street, road, park or other public property, excluding public right-of-way on an owner's private property or unless otherwise specifically permitted, the dog or cat shall be under the direct control of the owner or keeper, except while hunting pursuant to permit or during a legitimate obedience demonstration, show, trial, training exercise, competition
Full Breakdown
Sec. 6-28(a) prohibits any dog from straying or running at large on public property, streets, sidewalks, or parks, or onto another person's private property without consent. Sec. 6-28(d) further requires that whenever a dog is on a public street, road, park, or other public property, it remain under the owner's or keeper's direct control, defined in the code as continuous physical restraint by a fence, leash, cord, or chain, except while hunting under permit or during an organized training, show, or competition event.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog run at large is a civil infraction under Sec. 6-52, punishable by an animal control officer's citation and a civil penalty of up to $500, with mandatory court appearance for a third citation within 24 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hillsborough County require dogs to be on a leash?
What happens if my dog is caught running loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsborough County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hillsborough County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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