Leash Law and Dogs at Parks

The city council adopted two ordinances related to off-leash dogs in the city at its Nov. 18 meeting. The first no longer allows dog owners to walk their dogs off-leash and at heel when off their property, such as walking in a neighborhood (effective Jan. 1, 2025). The second ordinance clarifies that animals are allowed in city parks, but only off leash in designated areas (effective May 19, 2025, after a work group provides input designating off-leash areas within specific parks).

Under an ordinance amending section 925.085 relating to dogs at large, dog owners may no longer walk their dogs off-leash and at heel.

• Dogs must either be within a vehicle or container from which they cannot escape or they must be leashed.
• The ordinance does allow the use of a retractable leash of no more 20 feet, provided that the leash is retracted to six feet whenever another person or animal is within 20 feet.
• The ordinance contains two exceptions: police canines performing official duties are not subject to the leash requirement; and dogs may be off-leash within public parks to the extent allowed by the park regulations in section 1135 of the city code.

Under an ordinance amending sections 1135.010 and 1135.020 relating to animals within city parks:

• Rather than list where animals are allowed, the ordinance now lists the locations where animals are prohibited. Animals are allowed in any park location that is not prohibited.
• Allows the use of either a fixed leash of no more than six feet or a retractable leash of up to 20 feet, provided that the retractable leash must be shortened to six feet whenever another person or animal is within 20 feet.
• Dogs may be off-leash only within “designated off-leash areas” rather than within any unimproved and unmaintained area of the park.

The city is currently seeking seven to nine residents to serve as members of a volunteer community work group to help guide the development of off-leash dog areas in city parks and other city owned properties. Find more information and an application in the project update area of this site.