Yuma, AZ Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash requirement
- Sufficient strength to control dog
- First offense fine (up to)
- $50 or warning
- Second offense fine
- $100
- Third offense fine
- $200
- Fourth+ offense fine
- $300
- Dog park exception
- Posted dog parks only
Summary
Yuma prohibits letting any animal run at-large. A dog avoids that classification only if it is on a leash, chain, rope or cord strong enough to control it, confined in a suitable enclosure, or covered by a specific carve-out like obedience training, hunting or a posted dog park.
(A) No person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring or maintaining an animal shall allow the animal to be at-large. (B) A dog is not deemed to be at-large: (1) If the dog is restrained by a leash, chain, rope or cord of sufficient strength to control the action of the dog, or if confined, in a suitable enclosure. (2) While the dog is actively engaged in dog obedience training, accompanied by and under the control of his owner or trainer, provided that the person training the dog has in his possession a leash of sufficient strength to control the dog, and, further, that the dog is actually enrolled in or has graduated from an obedience training school which has been approved by the city enforcement agent.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through May 20, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 130-003(A) makes it unlawful for anyone owning, keeping, possessing, harboring or maintaining an animal to allow it to be at-large. Subsection (B) then defines when a dog is not at-large: when restrained by a leash, chain, rope or cord of sufficient strength to control the dog, or confined in a suitable enclosure; while actively engaged in dog obedience training under the owner's or trainer's control, provided the trainer carries a leash of sufficient strength and the dog is enrolled in or has graduated from a city-approved obedience school; or if the dog is being used for hunting, exhibited at an AKC-approved show, engaged in Arizona Racing Commission-approved races, actively engaged in livestock control, in service with a law enforcement agency, or inside a posted dog park.
Section 130-004 gives the city enforcement agent discretion to issue a warning instead of a citation for a first at-large offense, recognizing dogs sometimes escape without an owner's fault. § 9-240(B)(16).
Violations & Fines
A first at-large offense under § 130-003 is a class 3 misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $50 per § 130-999(B), though the enforcement agent may issue a warning instead. Repeat offenses within 12 months carry mandatory fines: $100 for a second offense, $200 for a third, and $300 for each offense after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a fenced yard satisfy Yuma's leash law?
Will a first dog-at-large offense always result in a fine in Yuma?
Are dogs at dog parks exempt from Yuma's leash requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yuma
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