Your Dog, Parks, and the Leash Law

The City of Davis requires all dogs to be on a leash except when on private property or when the dog is in a designated off-leash area. Leashes should not exceed eight feet in length. Yolo County Animal Services enforces the leash law and other animal regulations.

Several Davis parks have exercise areas where your dog can be off leash if it remains under your control. Learn more about Dog Parks and Off-Leash Exercise Areas in Davis parks and download a copy of the Leash Law Flyer.

You are required to clean up after your dog.

Dogs are not allowed in children's play areas of City parks and greenbelts unless they are a designated service animal.

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 Animal Services Unit of the Yolo County Sheriff's Office, 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) or purchased or renewed online at the Animal Services website.

City and County Code sections relating to dogs:

• City Code: Chapter 5 - Animals and Fowl
• City Code: Section 5.04.040 - Dogs running at large
• City Code: Section 27.02.140 - Dogs in parks
• City Code: Section 27.03.170 - Dogs in open space areas
• Yolo County Code: Title 6 Chapter 1 - 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 just past the intersection.