Your Dog, Parks, and the Leash Law
In order to protect your dog and the rights of others, all dogs in Davis are required to be on a leash except when on the owner's or caretaker's property or when within a designated dog exercise area. Leashes may not be longer than 8 feet.
Several Davis parks have exercise areas where your dog can be off leash if it remains under your control. These areas are marked by signs and can be found in the following areas:
Unfenced off-leash areas:
- Aspen Greenbelt (near Glacier Drive and Isle Royale Lane)
- John Barovetto Park 4400 Alhambra Drive
- Pioneer Park 5035 Hamel Street
- Slide Hill Park 1525 Tulip Lane (near the south end of the park)
- Sycamore Park 1313 Sycamore Lane
- Walnut Park 2700 Lillard Drive (south of the tennis courts)
Fenced off-leash areas:
- Community Park1405 F Street (west of the Skate Park)
- Toad Hollow Dog Park 1919 Second Street
Please Note: During the winter months, the Toad Hollow Dog Park may be closed prior to, during, and following heavy rain periods. During the temporary closures, signage will be posted at the site to inform the public. The Dog Park will be re-opened once the field has dried and is suitable for use. You can sign up to receive email about the status of Toad Hollow Dog Park. Subscribe to the Toad Hollow Dog Park email list.
You are required to clean up after your dog.
Dogs are not allowed in the children's play areas of City parks and greenbelts.
For those involved in obedience training and showing in trials, an off leash training permit is available at the Parks & Community Services Department, 23 Russell Boulevard, (530) 757-5626. The permit is issued for the express purpose of obedience training for dogs enrolled and actually participating in a dog training or obedience class, exhibition, or competition conducted by an organization with the permission of the owner or operator or the grounds or facility. The permit does not authorize you to exercise, play with your dog off leash, or practice tracking or agility.
Rules and Regulations
Enforcement of the Leash Law and other animal regulations is provided by the
Yolo
County Animal Control Unit, (530) 668-5287.
Dogs in Davis are required to be licensed. A Yolo County License may be purchased at the Yolo County Animal Shelter, 2640 East Gibson Road in Woodland, (530) 668-5287 (directions). Locally, new licenses may be purchased at the Davis Police Department, 2600 Fifth Street, (530) 747-5400. A current rabies certificate is required. Licenses are half price if you show proof of spay or neutering.
City and County Code sections relating to dogs:
- City Code: Animals and Fowl
- City Code: Dogs running at large
- City Code: Dogs in parks
- City Code: Dogs in open space areas
- County Code: Animals

Directions to the Yolo County Animal Shelter:
- From West Davis:
Take Highway 113 north towards Woodland. Exit at Gibson Road, turn right at signal. The animal shelter will be on your right, past the community college, approximately one and a quarter miles from the freeway. - From East Davis:
Take Pole Line Road north towards Woodland. Gibson Road is approximately seven miles north of Covell Blvd. Turn left. The animal shelter will be on your left about 50 yards past the intersection.