Yorba Linda, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Yorba Linda Municipal Code § 18.20.650(B) makes every animal owner responsible for ensuring proper control and restraint of their animal in a manner that provides both the animal and the general public reasonable protection. The section applies to all species kept under the Article 7 animal-keeping rules, not just dogs; any animal that is not enclosed by fencing or a suitable enclosure must be restrained by leash or tether, or transported within an enclosed vehicle or cage. This restraint duty sits alongside § 18.20.650(A), which addresses where certain animals may be located rather than how they are restrained: horses and cleft-hoofed animals cannot be kept in any required front, side or street-side yard, and horse and cleft-hoofed structures, chicken coops, aviaries and rabbit cages must stay at least 50 feet from any adjoining dwelling, measured from the edge of the structure to the nearest edge of the neighboring home, excluding the garage.

Riding arenas that sit closer than 50 feet to a neighboring dwelling are limited to two hours of use per day and must be watered to control dust before use. Beyond the zoning restraint duty, dogs and cats are also subject to Orange County's animal control ordinances adopted by reference in Yorba Linda Municipal Code § 6.04.010, which the City enforces under a contract with Orange County Animal Care and which separately addresses at-large animals and licensing. Failing to restrain an animal that is not properly enclosed is a Title 18 zoning violation independent of any county at-large citation.