Colwood dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In Colwood, a dog off its owner's property must be on a leash of 1.82 metres (6 feet) or less, except in a sanctioned off-leash area. Off-leash space is the marked area of Colwood Creek Park and the leash-optional area at Lagoon Beach. Leashes are required at the Esquimalt Lagoon sanctuary and near playgrounds.
Key facts
| Leash rule | A dog must not be 'at large': off its owner's property it must be on a leash (or securely tethered or contained), except in a sanctioned off-leash area. The bylaw requires a leash in the Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary, West Shore Parks and Recreation lands, the designated area of Colwood Creek Park, and within 10 m of playground equipment. The City also lists Latoria Creek Park, Havenwood Park and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), s. 3.0 (At Large), s. 8.1(a), s. 8.2; PETiquette, Where Dogs MUST be On-Leash · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAt Large means being elsewhere than on the lands or premises of the Owner of the Animal and: not on a leash; or except where the dog is participating in a sanctioned off- 10 metres of any playground equipment in any municipal or regional park. Latoria Creek Park - Havenwood Park -> http://www.colwood.ca/havenwoodpark Playground or picnic areas (within 10 meters) Galloping Goose Regional Trail dogs must now be kept on leash when enjoying Latoria Creek Park and Havenwood Park |
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| Maximum leash length | 1.82 metres (6 feet) at most.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), s. 3.0 (Leash) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthat does not exceed one point eight two (1.82) metres [six (6) feet] in length |
| Off-leash areas | Designated off-leash areas of Colwood Creek Park (large green space next to the playground on the Cecil Blogg Drive side) and the leash-optional area southwest of the bathrooms at Lagoon Beach (end of Lagoon Road). The City posts maps of on- and off-leash areas for Colwood Creek Park and the Esquimalt Lagoon, and signs show current rules.PETiquette, Where are some dog-friendly park spaces in Colwood? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingColwood Creek Park – Features a large open green space adjacent to the playground Southwest of the public bathrooms, located at the end of Lagoon Road, is a leash-optional area for dogs. Be sure to check posted signage for current leash requirements and designated off-leash areas. |
| Places dogs are not allowed | Dogs are banned (except working and service dogs) from City sports facilities including West Shore Parks and Recreation, Hatley Memorial Burial Park, and Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site. The bylaw's 'Dog Exclusion Zone' is all playing fields on the West Shore Parks and Recreation lands.PETiquette, Dog Restrictions; Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), s. 3.0, s. 8.1(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingExcept for working and service dogs, dogs are prohibited at all times from: City Sports Facilities including West Shore Parks and Recreation Hatley Memorial Burial Park Dog Exclusion Zone means all the playing fields on the West Shore Parks and Recreation Facility |
| Cleaning up | The owner must immediately remove and dispose of the dog's feces on public property, or on private property other than the owner's, in a waste container or by other sanitary means. Guide, service and police dogs are excepted.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), s. 8.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Owner of a Dog must immediately remove and dispose, in a waste container or by other sanitary means, any fecal matter deposited by such Dog on public property or private Service Dog or Police Dog. |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Dog at large: bylaw notice $100 ($80 within 14 days, $120 after 28 days); municipal ticket $100. Dog off leash in sanctuary, on recreation lands, in a play area or within 10 m of one: bylaw notice $75 ($90 after 28 days, no early discount); municipal ticket $75.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1911, 2021 (consolidated to March 9, 2026), Schedule B, Animal Control Bylaw; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1314, 2010 (consolidated to April 8, 2022), Schedule 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDog at large Dog at large 8.1(a) $100.00 $80.00 $120.00 Dog off leash in sanctuary Dog off leash in sanctuary 8.2(a) $75.00 N/A $90.00 Dog at Large Dog at Large 8.1(a) $100.00 Dog off Leash in Sanctuary |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025), s. 1.0 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the "Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014”. |
How it works
The City's Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533 says a dog must not be "at large": off its owner's property it must be on a leash (or securely tethered or contained), unless it is in a sanctioned off-leash area. A leash may be 1.82 metres (6 feet) at most.
Where dogs must be on leash
- Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary
- West Shore Parks and Recreation lands
- The designated area of Colwood Creek Park
- Within 10 metres of playground equipment
- The City also lists Latoria Creek Park, Havenwood Park and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail
Where dogs can run
- The designated off-leash area of Colwood Creek Park, the large green space next to the playground on the Cecil Blogg Drive side
- The leash-optional area southwest of the bathrooms at Lagoon Beach, at the end of Lagoon Road
The City posts maps of on- and off-leash areas for Colwood Creek Park and the Esquimalt Lagoon, and park signs show current rules.
Good to know
- Dogs are banned, except working and service dogs, from City sports facilities including West Shore Parks and Recreation, Hatley Memorial Burial Park, and Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site. The bylaw's "Dog Exclusion Zone" is all playing fields on the West Shore lands.
- You must immediately remove and dispose of your dog's feces on public property or anyone else's property. Guide, service and police dogs are excepted.
- A dog at large: bylaw notice $100 ($80 within 14 days, $120 after 28 days); municipal ticket $100.
- A dog off leash in the sanctuary, on recreation lands, in a play area or within 10 metres of one: bylaw notice $75 (no early discount; $90 after 28 days); municipal ticket $75.
- Report problems to CRD Animal Care Services, which enforces the bylaw for the City.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
View Royal · Esquimalt · Langford · Victoria · Metchosin · Highlands
Sources
- PETiquette, City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 1533, 2014 (consolidated to September 4, 2025) (PDF), City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1314, 2010 (consolidated to April 8, 2022) (PDF), City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1911, 2021 (consolidated to March 9, 2026) (PDF), City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.