Yonkers, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash limit
- 6 feet in public
- Dangerous dogs
- 4-foot leash plus muzzle
- Exception
- owner-occupied private property
- Impoundment
- mandatory for dogs at large
- Penalty
- Class II offense, $100-$5,000
Summary
Every dog in Yonkers must be on a leash no longer than six feet whenever it is off its owner's property, with dangerous dogs held to the tighter four-foot, muzzled standard. Dogs may run loose only on private property the owner occupies, and only if they can't escape or become a nuisance.
No person owning, harboring or having the custody and control of any animal except a cat shall permit or allow such dog to run or be at large in any public place in the City of Yonkers unless restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length or in accordance with § 65-6 above, if applicable. Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the running at large of any unleashed dog on privately owned property of the owner of such dog or on privately owned property occupied by the owner of such dog, provided that adequate measures are taken to prevent the dog from leaving the confines of said private property or from otherwise becoming a nuisance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4745274; v31 updated 2025-10-28; through 10-28-2025).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 65-8, 'Leashing required,' bars anyone owning, harboring or controlling a dog from letting it run or be at large in any public place in Yonkers unless it's restrained by a chain or leash of six feet or less, or held to the tighter § 65-6 standard if the dog is a declared dangerous dog. The section carves out privately owned property occupied by the dog's owner, where the dog may run unleashed as long as adequate measures keep it from leaving the property or becoming a nuisance elsewhere.
Section 65-9 makes proof that a dog was running at large presumptive evidence against the person in whose name the dog is registered, or whoever harbors it, shifting the practical burden onto the owner. Section 65-17 requires the Yonkers Animal Shelter, a police officer or a City Dog Control Officer to apprehend and impound any dog found running at large in violation of § 65-8, or found tied to a public tree, hedge or post in a way suggesting abandonment. A dog running loose that also injures someone, damages property, or repeatedly barks or chases people separately triggers the nuisance provisions of § 65-10.
Violations & Fines
Running a dog at large in violation of § 65-8 is a Class II offense under § 65-26B, carrying the citywide Class II range set in § 1-21: a fine of $100 to $5,000, up to 15 days in jail, or a civil penalty of $250 to $5,000. Proof the dog was at large is presumptive evidence against its registered owner under § 65-9, and the Yonkers Animal Shelter, police or a Dog Control Officer must impound the dog under § 65-17.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog's leash be in Yonkers?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yonkers
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How other cities in Westchester County handle dog leash laws.