{"title":"Comox dog leash rules and off-leash areas","question":"Where can dogs be off leash in Comox, and what are the leash rules?","slug":"dog-leash-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca"},"short_answer":"In Comox, a dog must never be at large. On any street or public place it must be on a leash under a competent person's control, and in Town parks, fields and forests it must be on leash at all times. The one fenced off-leash park is at the former Comox Elementary School site.","aliases":["dog off leash Comox","Comox dog park","dogs on leash Comox","dog poop bylaw Comox"],"cost":"Bylaw notice: $50 if paid within 14 days, $90 after (at large or off leash). Municipal ticket under the dog bylaw: $90.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"online","label":"Bylaw Complaint Form (Report an Issue)","value":"https://www.comox.ca/reporting"},{"type":"phone","label":"Town Bylaw Enforcement Officer (Comox Town Hall)","value":"250-339-2202","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"online","label":"Pets in Parks page (off-leash map)","value":"https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Pets in Parks, Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks"},{"title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf"},{"title":"Parks Use Bylaw No. 1881 (consolidated to December 4, 2024) (PDF)","url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%201881%20Consolidated%20-%20Parks%20Use%20-%20as%20at%20Dec%204%2C%202024.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Comox dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"dangerous-dogs","title":"Comox rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dangerous-dogs/"},{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Comox bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/dog-leash-rules/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-leash-rules/"},"facts":{"leash_rule":{"label":"Leash rule","value":"A dog must never be at large. On any street or public place it must be under full control of a competent person on a leash. In Town parks, playing fields and forests dogs must be on leash at all times.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"ss. 5.1, 5.2","quotes":["No owner shall permit a dog to be at large within the Municipality.","No owner of a dog shall permit, suffer or allow the dog to be on any street or in any public place unless it is under the full custody and control of a competent person by means of a leash"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks","title":"Pets in Parks, Town of Comox","section":"Pets in Parks page","quotes":["dogs must be on leash at all times"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"leash_length":{"label":"Maximum leash length","value":"2.5 m. Aggressive or dangerous dogs in public must be on a non-retractable leash of 2 m or less.","short":"2.5 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 2 (At Large), s. 5.2, s. 5.5(b)","quotes":["a leash not exceeding 2.5 metres in length","muzzled, on a non-retractable leash not exceeding two metres in length"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"off_leash_areas":{"label":"Off-leash areas","value":"One fenced off-leash dog park at the former Comox Elementary School site (Rodello Street and Fairbairn Avenue), with a separate small-dog area. A map is on the Town's Pets in Parks page.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks","title":"Pets in Parks, Town of Comox","section":"Pets in Parks page","quotes":["Yes, there is one off-leash park located at the former Comox Elementary School location (Rodello Street and Fairbairn Avenue).","a small dog space was added","Location Map of the off-leash dog park in Comox."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"dogs_not_allowed":{"label":"Places dogs are not allowed","value":"Aggressive or dangerous dogs are banned from school grounds, from within 30 m of any playground, and from designated off-leash areas and parks. In parks no animal may enter a body of water except the ocean.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 5.5(a)","quotes":["on school grounds, within 30 metres of any playground"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%201881%20Consolidated%20-%20Parks%20Use%20-%20as%20at%20Dec%204%2C%202024.pdf","title":"Parks Use Bylaw No. 1881 (consolidated to December 4, 2024) (PDF)","section":"s. 3(4)(c)","quotes":["to enter any body of","water, except the ocean"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"clean_up":{"label":"Cleaning up","value":"An owner must immediately remove and sanitarily dispose of solid dog excrement left on any public place or on private property other than the owner's own.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 5.15","quotes":["to allow or suffer any dog to leave or deposit solid","excrement on any public place or private property other than the property of the owner unless the owner shall immediately take steps to remove such solid excrement"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks","title":"Pets in Parks, Town of Comox","section":"Pets in Parks page","quotes":["Please help keep our parks clean and respect fellow users by picking up after your pet"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine_at_large":{"label":"Fine, dog at large or off leash","value":"Bylaw notice: $50 if paid within 14 days, $90 after (at large or off leash). Municipal ticket under the dog bylaw: $90 for either.","short":"Notice $90 ($50 if paid in 14 days); ticket $90","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/Bylaw%202004%20Consolidated%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, A3 Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322","quotes":["Dog at large 5.1 50 90 N/A","Dog not on leash 5.2 50 90 N/A"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 7.3 (offence table)","quotes":["Dog at large 5.1 $90.00","Dog off leash 5.2 $90.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as the Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the [Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf), a dog must never be at large. On any street or public place it must be under the full control of a competent person on a leash, and the leash must be 2.5 m or shorter. In Town parks, playing fields and forests, dogs must be on leash at all times, according to the Town's [Pets in Parks page](https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks).\n\nThere is one fenced off-leash dog park, at the former Comox Elementary School site (Rodello Street and Fairbairn Avenue), with a separate small-dog area. A map is on the Pets in Parks page, which also points to off-leash areas in the nearby Comox Valley Regional District.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Pick up after your dog. An owner must immediately remove and sanitarily dispose of dog excrement left on any public place, or on private property other than the owner's own.\n- Aggressive or dangerous dogs must be on a non-retractable leash of 2 m or less in public. They are banned from school grounds, from within 30 m of any playground, and from designated off-leash areas and parks.\n- In parks, no animal may enter a body of water except the ocean ([Parks Use Bylaw No. 1881](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%201881%20Consolidated%20-%20Parks%20Use%20-%20as%20at%20Dec%204%2C%202024.pdf)).\n- The sources found do not ban ordinary leashed dogs from particular parks or beaches. Ask the Town if you are unsure about a specific park.\n- At large or off leash: a bylaw notice is $50 if paid within 14 days and $90 after; a municipal ticket under the dog bylaw is $90.\n- To report a dog problem, use the Town's Bylaw Complaint Form or call the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250-339-2202.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/parksandfields/pets-parks","title":"Pets in Parks, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Bylaw%201322%20Consolidated%20-%20Dog%20Licence%20and%20Pound%20-%20as%20at%20Mar%2018%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Dog Licence and Pound Bylaw No. 1322 (consolidated to March 18, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%201881%20Consolidated%20-%20Parks%20Use%20-%20as%20at%20Dec%204%2C%202024.pdf","title":"Parks Use Bylaw No. 1881 (consolidated to December 4, 2024) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/Bylaw%202004%20Consolidated%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (consolidated to June 10, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/reporting","title":"Report an Issue, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dog-leash-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dog-leash-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dog-leash-rules.json"}}