Dog Leash Laws: Daly City vs San Mateo
How do dog leash laws rules compare between Daly City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
Daly City and San Mateo have similar restriction levels.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City regulates dogs through Title 6 (Animals) of its Municipal Code, which incorporates California Food & Agricultural Code Section 30951 (dogs at large must wear an ID/license tag) and Section 30954 (female dogs in heat may not run at large). The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, headquartered in San Mateo at Coyote Point Shelter, provides animal control field services to San Mateo County jurisdictions. Dogs over four months must be licensed and currently vaccinated against rabies under Cal. Health & Safety Code Section 121690. Dogs may not be loose off the owner's property unless under direct physical control (leash). Off-leash use is restricted to designated areas only. Violations generally start as infractions and dogs found at large are subject to impoundment by the contracted shelter.
View full Daly City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
San Mateo requires dogs to be on a leash on all public property. No voice-control exemption exists in San Mateo County. Off-leash areas exist in designated dog parks. Animal control via Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Code title | Daly City Municipal Code, Title 6 (Animals) | - |
| State authority | Cal. Food & Ag Code Sections 30951, 30954 | - |
| Animal control provider | Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (Coyote Point Shelter) | - |
| License/vaccination | Required at 4 months under Cal. HSC Section 121690 | - |
| Off-leash areas | Limited to designated park zones; default leash everywhere else | - |
| Leash Required | - | Yes, on all public property |
| Voice Control | - | Not acceptable — physical leash required |
| Animal Control | - | Peninsula Humane Society (650) 340-8200 |
| Police Non-Emergency | - | (650) 522-7700 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Does Daly City have a leash law?
Yes. Title 6 of the Daly City Municipal Code, working with Cal. Food & Ag Code Section 30951, requires dogs to be under the owner's physical control off the owner's property. In practice that means a leash whenever the dog is on streets, sidewalks, or in city parks outside any designated off-leash zone.
Where do I license my dog?
Daly City licensing is administered through Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA at the Coyote Point Shelter in San Mateo, the county-wide contractor. You'll need proof of current rabies vaccination (Cal. HSC Section 121690 requires renewal at least every two years after the dog turns four months old).
What if my dog gets picked up?
PHS/SPCA field officers will impound the dog at the Coyote Point Shelter. To redeem, the owner pays impound and board fees and must present proof of current rabies vaccination and a Daly City license.
San Mateo FAQ
Do I have to keep my dog on a leash in San Mateo?
San Mateo requires dogs to be on a leash on all public property. No voice-control exemption exists in San Mateo County. Off-leash areas exist in designated dog parks. Animal control via Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA.
What is the maximum leash length in San Mateo?
Leash Required: Yes, on all public property. Voice Control: Not acceptable — physical leash required. Animal Control: Peninsula Humane Society (650) 340-8200. Police Non-Emergency: (650) 522-7700.
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