Gibsons dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules in Gibsons?
Short answer
In Gibsons, dogs in public places must be on a leash no longer than 1.83 metres (6 feet), held by a capable person. Off leash is allowed only in designated areas, such as Inglis Trail and Headlands Beach. A dog at large costs a $200 bylaw notice.
Key facts
| Leash rule | Dogs in any public place must be firmly held on a leash by a capable person. Off leash is allowed only in the designated off-leash areas, and the dog must stay in view and under control.Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 5.3.1, 5.3.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person may permit a dog to be in a Public Place unless the dog is Despite Section 5.3.1, the owner of a dog may allow the dog to be off leash in the areas listed in Schedule B to this bylaw |
|---|---|
| Maximum leash length | 1.83 metres (6 feet) at most.Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 1 definition of Leash · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingof no more than 1.83 metres in length |
| Off-leash areas | Inglis Trail (including Helen's Way, Stewart Road to Shaw Road); all beaches from October 15 to April 15 each year; Headlands Beach all year; the grassy area at Georgia Beach. Maps are in the bylaw and on the Town's animal bylaw page.Sources differ: Schedule B dates are October 15 to April 15; the Town's web pages say October 16 to April 14 (one day apart at each end). Bylaw followed. Headlands Beach is off leash year-round.Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, Schedule B, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOFF-LEASH AREAS All beaches between October 15th and April 15th of each year The Inglis Trail, including Helen’s Way The grassy area at Georgia Beach |
| Places dogs are not allowed | Dogs are banned from private property without the owner's consent and from the dedicated swimming area at Armours Beach. In parks, playgrounds, sports fields and tennis courts, dogs must be on a leash.Sources differ: CONFLICT: the Town's Dog Licences page says dogs are prohibited from all sports fields, parks and playgrounds except the off-leash areas. Bylaw 1328 Schedule B lists them as on-leash areas (s. 5.3.4 only bans off-leash dogs there). Bylaw followed.Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, Schedule B, s. 1 and 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAll parks, playgrounds, sports fields and tennis courts. PROHIBITED AREAS The dedicated swimming area at Armours Beach. Private property without the consent of the private property owner. |
| Cleaning up | Every owner must immediately remove and lawfully dispose of a dog's excrement on public or private property. Animal waste must not be allowed to build up on your own property. Owners must also carry out clean-up in off-leash areas.Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 4.2.1, 4.2.3; Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdefecate on any public or private property unless the owner immediately removes the excrement and lawfully disposes of it. No person shall allow animal waste to accumulate on their property Owners are responsible for removing |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Dog at large: bylaw notice $200 ($150 if paid early, $250 late). Dog off leash: $150 ($125 early, $175 late). Dog not under a capable person's control: $100 ($80, $120).Sources differ: CONFLICT: the Town's Dog Licences page says 'a fine of $100'. The Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw schedule says $200 for dog at large. Schedule followed. A dog at large may also be impounded; fees are in Bylaw 1328 Schedule A.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1125, Schedule A, Bylaw 1328 s. 5.1.5, 5.3.1, 5.3.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDog at large $200 $150 $250 Dog off leash $150 $125 $175 Dog not under care/control of competent person |
| Bylaw | Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Town of Gibsons Animal Care and |
How it works
Under the Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, a dog in any public place in Gibsons must be firmly held on a leash by a capable person, meaning someone with enough height and weight to control the dog. The leash may be no longer than 1.83 metres (6 feet).
Off leash is allowed only in designated areas, and the dog must stay in view and under control:
- Inglis Trail (including Helen's Way, Stewart Road to Shaw Road)
- All beaches from October 15 to April 15 each year
- Headlands Beach, all year
- The grassy area at Georgia Beach
Maps are in the bylaw and on the Town's animal bylaw page.
Good to know
- Dogs are banned from the dedicated swimming area at Armours Beach, and from private property without the owner's consent.
- In parks, playgrounds, sports fields and tennis courts, dogs must be on a leash. The Town's Dog Licences page says dogs are prohibited there; the bylaw only requires a leash. Check with the Town if unsure.
- Pick up after your dog immediately, on public or private property, including in off-leash areas. Do not let waste build up on your own property.
- Bylaw notices: dog at large $200 ($150 if paid early, $250 late); dog off leash $150 ($125, $175); dog not under a capable person's control $100 ($80, $120). The Town's page says $100 for a dog at large; the schedule says $200.
- A dog at large may be impounded. Report problems to the Bylaw Officer at 604-886-2274 or beo@gibsons.ca.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Bowen Island · West Vancouver · Lions Bay · Sechelt · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver
Sources
- Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, Town of Gibsons (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1125, Town of Gibsons (consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- Contact us, Town of Gibsons (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. How answers are checked.