Santa Clarita Dog Leash Laws Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Under Santa Clarita Municipal Code Chapter 8.32, no person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall cause, permit, or allow the dog to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court, or other public place, or upon any private property other than that of the owner, unless the dog is restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding 6 feet in length and is in the charge of a competent person. Dogs may run at large on the owner's ranch or undeveloped property if under reasonable control, except for unspayed females during mating season.

Every person owning or having custody of any dog over the age of four months must obtain an annual license from the Director of Animal Care and Control. Reduced license fees apply for spayed or neutered animals. All dogs over four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip and must be vaccinated against rabies. Mandatory spay/neuter applies to all dogs over four months, with limited exceptions for competition dogs, law enforcement dogs, service dogs, or dogs medically unable to undergo surgery (who may obtain unaltered dog licenses).

Attack dogs or dogs that behave menacingly require confinement within a structure, fence, or wall not less than 5 feet in height, even on the owner's property. An owner who permits a dog to run at large that subsequently bites, attacks, or causes injury to any person or other animal is guilty of a public offense punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor. Santa Clarita contracts with the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control for animal enforcement services.