Fort St James dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash in Fort St James, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In Fort St James, a dog on any street or public place must be on a leash no longer than 3 metres, except in posted off-leash areas. The bylaw does not list those areas. The fine for a dog off leash is $25.
Key facts
| Leash rule | A dog on any street or in a public place must be on a leash at all times, except in posted designated off-leash areas. An unleashed dog's owner must carry a leash, keep the dog in view, keep effective control so it returns when signalled, and leash it at once if it shows aggression.Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006, office consolidation March 2025, s. 4.2.3; Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006, office consolidation March 2025, s. 3.1.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmust keep such dog that is on any street or in a public place on a leash at all times, except in areas posted as designated dog off- leash areas A person must not permit any animal other than a cat to be running at large |
|---|---|
| Maximum leash length | No more than 3 metres.Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006, office consolidation March 2025, s. 2.29 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingno more than three (3) metres in length |
| Off-leash areas | Only in areas posted by sign as designated dog off-leash areas.Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006, office consolidation March 2025, s. 2.15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDesignated Dog Off-Leash Area means an area posted by sign |
| Places dogs are not allowed | The District's splash pad: no pets allowed.Splash Park, Splash park page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo pets, bikes, skateboards, or scooters allowed on the splash pad. |
| Cleaning up | The owner of a dog (other than an assistance dog) must clean up immediately any feces the dog leaves on any parcel other than the owner's own.Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006, office consolidation March 2025, s. 4.2.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingEvery owner of a dog other than an assistance dog must ensure that any feces deposited on any parcel, other than the parcel of the owner, is cleaned |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Failure to keep dog on leash: $25. Dog running at large: the fine is the applicable impoundment fees (first impoundment in a calendar year $40 for a neutered or spayed dog, $60 otherwise).Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006, office consolidation March 2025, Sched. D; Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006, office consolidation March 2025, Sched. A, s. 1.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFailure to keep dog on leash Permit animal to be running at large Impoundment Fees First impoundment in any calendar year: Neutered Male or Spayed Female |
| Bylaw | Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006 (office consolidation March 27, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1081, 2025)Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006, office consolidation March 2025, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording“District of Fort St. James Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006” |
How it works
Under the District's Animal Regulation Bylaw 833, a dog on any street or in a public place in Fort St James must be on a leash at all times. The leash may be no more than 3 metres long. The only exception is a designated off-leash area marked by a sign.
Good to know
- The pages read do not list or map any off-leash areas. Ask the District office at 250-996-8233 which ones are posted.
- An owner with an unleashed dog must carry a leash, keep the dog in view, keep control so it returns when signalled, and leash it at once if it shows aggression.
- The owner of a dog (other than an assistance dog) must clean up immediately any feces it leaves on a parcel other than the owner's own.
- The District's splash pad allows no pets.
- The bylaw does not ban dogs from parks, beaches or sports fields in general, and other park rules were not checked.
- Failing to keep a dog on a leash is a $25 fine. A dog running at large is charged the impoundment fees, which are $40 the first time in a calendar year for a neutered or spayed dog and $60 otherwise, plus $10 a day while impounded.
- Report a dog to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250-996-8670 ext. 3 or the District office at 250-996-8233.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Vanderhoof · Prince George · Mackenzie · Granisle · Houston · Telkwa
Sources
- Animal Regulation Bylaw No. 833, 2006, office consolidation March 2025 (PDF), District of Fort St James (read 2026-11-08)
- Splash Park, District of Fort St James (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control and Conservation, District of Fort St James (read 2026-11-08)
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.