Central Saanich dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash in Central Saanich, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In Central Saanich, a dog in a public place must be on a leash or chain, or with a competent person and under control. The leash is 6 feet (1.8 m). The bylaw mentions off-leash areas but the District does not list any.
Key facts
| Leash rule | A dog must not be at large on a highway, public place, public beach or public building grounds unless it is on a leash or chain, or with a competent person and under control. 'Under control' off leash means it comes when called, stays in sight, and does not approach others or chase wildlife.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), s. 2.4.1 and definition of Under Control · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingunless the animal is confined on a leash or chain or the Dog returns immediately to the Owner when called |
|---|---|
| Maximum leash length | 6 feet (1.8 m). Aggressive and dangerous dogs: 1.2 m, no retractable leashes.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), s. 1 Leash; ss. 4.8, 4.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthat does not exceed 6 feet (1.8 meters) with a maximum length of 1.2 metres from Owner to Aggressive Dog |
| Off-leash areas | Not confirmed. No list or map of off-leash areas was found on the District's website. |
| Places dogs are not allowed | No dogs (or farm animals) in any public park area used as a picnic area, playing field, sports field or children's playground, whether or not in use. Guide dogs with a person with a disability are exempt.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), ss. 2.4.3, 2.4.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingpresent on or within any public park area utilized as a picnic area, playing field, sports field or children's playground area do not apply to a person with a disability accompanied by a guide dog |
| Cleaning up | Remove your dog's droppings immediately from any highway, public beach, park or other public property, or from private property that is not yours. Guide-dog handlers with a disability are exempt.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), s. 2.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingunless the person shall immediately remove the excrement. |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Not confirmed for the current bylaw. The 2020 municipal ticket schedule lists 'Animal or bird at large' (s. 2.4.1) at $100 but names Animal Control Bylaw No. 2054, not No. 2097. Bylaw Notice amounts under Bylaw No. 2242 could not be read.Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2057, 2020, with schedules, Appendix 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnimal or bird at large 2.4.L $100.00 Animal or bird not under control 2.4.L CENTRAT SAANICH ANIMAL CONTROT BYTAW NO. 2054, 2O2O |
| Bylaw | Central Saanich Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), s. 14.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCentral Saanich Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 |
How it works
The Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097 says a dog must not be at large on a highway, public place, public beach or public building grounds unless it is on a leash or chain, or with a competent person and under control. "Under control" off leash means the dog comes when called, stays in sight, and does not approach other people or chase wildlife. A leash means 6 feet (1.8 m).
Steps
- Keep your dog on a leash or chain in public places, or stay with it and keep it under control.
- Keep dogs out of any public park area used as a picnic area, playing field, sports field or children's playground.
- Pick up your dog's droppings right away from any highway, public beach, park or other public property, or from private property that is not yours.
- To report a dog at large, call CRD Animal Control at 250-478-0624.
Good to know
- The bylaw bars dogs and farm animals from picnic areas, playing fields, sports fields and playgrounds whether or not they are in use. Guide dogs with a person with a disability are exempt.
- Guide-dog handlers with a disability are also exempt from the clean-up rule.
- Aggressive and dangerous dogs must be on a leash no longer than 1.2 m, and not a retractable one.
- The bylaw mentions off-leash areas, but no list or map was found on the District's website. Ask Bylaw Enforcement at 250-544-4237.
- The 2020 municipal ticket schedule lists "animal or bird at large" at $100, but it names an earlier bylaw. Confirm the current amount with the District.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sidney · North Saanich · Highlands · Saanich · View Royal · Esquimalt
Sources
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Pets and Wildlife, District of Central Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2057, 2020, with schedules (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Enforcement, District of Central Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.