---
title: Coldstream dog leash rules and off-leash areas
question: "Where can dogs be off leash in Coldstream, and what are the leash rules?"
place: Coldstream, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/coldstream
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dog-leash-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dog-leash-rules.json"
---

# Coldstream dog leash rules and off-leash areas

**Question:** Where can dogs be off leash in Coldstream, and what are the leash rules?

**Short answer:** In Coldstream, a dog away from its owner's property must be on a leash of 2 metres or less, unless it is in a signed dog park. Off-leash parks are Coldstream Valley Estates, Creekside, Lavington, Stenquist, Vi-Morphet and the designated area at Pumphouse Beach. A dog at large costs $150.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Dog at large (RDNO): municipal ticket $150, or bylaw notice $150 ($120 if paid early). Off leash contrary to the rules (s. 24): $100. Dog off leash in a District park: bylaw notice $50 ($25 early, $100 late), or municipal ticket $100.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Phone: RDNO Dog Control, 250-541-3647
- Online: District page on dog control and dog parks, https://www.coldstream.ca/bylaw/dog-control-dog-parks

## Key facts

- **Leash rule:** Off the owner's property a dog must be on a leash held by a person able to restrain it, or inside a signed dog park. In District parks and public spaces dogs must be leashed at all times except in areas signed off-leash, and are allowed only in the listed dog parks.
  - Source: [RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), s. 5 (definition of At Large), s. 20](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "is not securely attached to a Leash held by a person who has the ability to restrain the Dog" … "No Owner shall cause or permit his or her Dog to be At Large within the Service Area."
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw No. 1651, 2014, s. 9.1, 9.2(a)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/87200/)
  - Official wording: "have the dog leashed at all times except in areas designated as off-leash by a sign posted by the District;" … "A person must not bring, cause, or allow any dog to enter upon or be in a park or outdoor public space, except in an area designated in “Schedule A” as a Dog Park"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Maximum leash length:** 2 metres at most. An aggressive or dangerous dog in a public place must be on a leash of 1 metre at most and muzzled.
  - Source: [RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), s. 5 (definition of Leash), s. 31](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no more than 2 metres in length" … "controlled on a Leash securely held and with a maximum length of one (1) metre"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Off-leash areas:** Signed off-leash dog parks: Coldstream Valley Estates, Creekside Park, Lavington Park, Stenquist Park, Vi-Morphet Dog Park, and Pumphouse Beach (designated area only). Carry a leash, keep the dog in sight and under control. Maximum 4 dogs at a time in a dog park.
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw No. 1651, 2014, Schedule A (Bylaw 1879, 2026)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/87200/)
  - Official wording: "Coldstream Valley Estates, intersection of Upland Drive and Ridgemont Drive" … "Creekside Park, bounded by Kalamalka Road, Kidston Road, Quirk Drive and Coldstream Creek" … "Lavington Park, 6401 Lavington Way" … "Stenquist Park, 9255 Heritage Lane off Paisley Drive" … "Vi-Morphet Dog Park, 8309 Buchanan Road" … "Pumphouse Beach, 13210 Westkal Road – in designated area only"
  - Source: [RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), s. 25, s. 26](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Owner shall take, or allow, more than four (4) Dogs at one time to enter upon or be in a Dog Park." … "The Owner has in his or her possession a Leash to control the Dog;" … "The Owner maintains visual sight and verbal control of his or her Dog at all times;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Places dogs are not allowed:** Dogs are banned from every District park and outdoor public space except the listed dog parks (or with a permit). RDNO's bylaw also keeps dogs off public beaches, swimming areas and parkland unless signed on-leash or a dog park. Aggressive or dangerous dogs are also banned from sports fields, playgrounds and school grounds.
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw No. 1651, 2014, s. 9.1; Schedule A](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/87200/)
  - Official wording: "A person must not bring, cause, or allow any dog to enter upon or be in a park or outdoor public space, except in an area designated in “Schedule A” as a Dog Park" … "Westkal Beach, 7615 Westkal Road" … "Lochhaven Park, 30 Lochhaven Court and 11515 Wyatt Court"
  - Source: [RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), s. 23, s. 32](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Owner shall allow an Aggressive Dog or a Dangerous Dog into any sports field, playground, public beach, swimming area, Parkland, off-Leash Dog Park, or school grounds at any time." … "Every Owner of a Dog must ensure that the Dog does not enter upon and remain within any" … "public beaches, swimming areas, or Parkland unless the public beach, swimming area or" … "Parkland is designated by signage as an on-Leash area or a Dog Park."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cleaning up:** Owners must carry a suitable means of removing a dog's excrement in any public place and promptly remove and dispose of any excrement the dog leaves in a public place or on another person's property.
  - Source: [RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), s. 28](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "have in their possession a suitable means of facilitating the removal of the Dog’s excrement;" … "their Dog excrement deposited on any Public Place and property other than property owned by the Dog Owner, is promptly removed and disposed of."
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw No. 1651, 2014, s. 9.2(b)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/87200/)
  - Official wording: "promptly remove any feces deposited by the dog and dispose of appropriately;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, dog at large or off leash:** Dog at large (RDNO): municipal ticket $150, or bylaw notice $150 ($120 if paid early). Off-leash contrary to the rules (s. 24): $100. Dog off-leash in a District park: bylaw notice $50 ($25 early, $100 late), or municipal ticket $100.
  - Source: [RDNO Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 2908, Schedule E (Bylaw 2908)](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog At Large 20 $150.00" … "Off-Leash contrary to requirements 24 $100.00"
  - Source: [RDNO Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2909, Appendix 4 (Bylaw 2909)](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog At Large 20 $150.00 $120.00 Yes"
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, 2013, Appendix 8, Parks bylaw](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/11456/)
  - Official wording: "9.2(a) Dog Off-Leash in park $50 $25 $100 No"
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1598, 2012, Schedule 9, Parks bylaw](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/2314/)
  - Official wording: "29. Dog off-leash in park 9.1(a) $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (dogs at large, leashes, dog parks); District of Coldstream Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw No. 1651, 2014 (dogs in District parks).
  - Source: [RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), s. 1](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be cited as “Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021”"
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw No. 1651, 2014, title page](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/87200/)
  - Official wording: "Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw No. 1651, 2014"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Off the owner's property, a dog must be on a leash held by a person able to restrain it, or be inside a signed dog park. The leash can be 2 metres at most. The [RDNO Dog Control Bylaw 2881](<https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf>) sets these rules, and RDNO Dog Control enforces them.

In District parks and public spaces, the District's [Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw 1651](<https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/87200/>) applies. Dogs must be leashed at all times except in areas signed off-leash, and are allowed only in the listed dog parks.

## Steps

1. Use a leash of 2 metres or less outside your property.
2. For off-leash time, go to a signed dog park: Coldstream Valley Estates, Creekside Park, Lavington Park, Stenquist Park, Vi-Morphet Dog Park, or the designated area at Pumphouse Beach.
3. Carry a leash, keep your dog in sight and under control, and keep to 4 dogs at a time in a dog park.
4. Carry a way to remove your dog's waste and pick up promptly after it, in any public place or on another person's property.

## Good to know

- Dogs are banned from every District park and outdoor public space except the listed dog parks (or with a permit). The RDNO bylaw also keeps dogs off public beaches, swimming areas and parkland unless signed on-leash or a dog park.
- An aggressive or dangerous dog in a public place must be on a leash of 1 metre or less and muzzled.
- A dog at large is a $150 municipal ticket, or a $150 bylaw notice ($120 if paid early). Off leash contrary to the rules is $100. Off leash in a District park is a $50 bylaw notice ($25 early, $100 late) or a $100 municipal ticket.
- To report a dog problem, call RDNO Dog Control at 250-541-3647.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Control, Licencing and Park Use, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/bylaw/dog-control-dog-parks)
- [RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (PDF)](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
- [Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw No. 1651, 2014](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/87200/)

## Related questions

- [Coldstream dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dog-licence.md)
- [Coldstream rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/how-many-pets.md)
- [Coldstream bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dog-leash-rules.md)

## Sources

- [RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [District of Coldstream Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw No. 1651, 2014](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/87200/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Dog Control, Licencing and Park Use, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/bylaw/dog-control-dog-parks) (read 2026-11-06)
- [District of Coldstream Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, 2013](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/11456/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [District of Coldstream Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1598, 2012](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/2314/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [RDNO Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 2908 (PDF)](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [RDNO Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2909 (PDF)](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Dog Control, Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/dog-control) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dog-leash-rules/_