Golden dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash in Golden, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In Golden, a dog must not be at large. Off your property it must be on a leash and under control, except in a posted off-leash area. The bylaw sets no maximum leash length for ordinary dogs. A dog at large is a $70 bylaw notice.
Key facts
| Leash rule | A dog must not be at large. Off the owner's property it must be on a leash and under control, except in a posted off-leash area, where the owner carries a leash, keeps control and keeps line of sight. The Town's page also says dogs are 'free to be off leash' elsewhere, which the bylaw does not allow.Sources differ: The bylaw also defines 'Under Control' as physical restraint by hand, voice command or electronic device, and sets on-leash areas in a Schedule C map (graphic; no text). The Town's page also says dogs elsewhere 'are free to be off leash' if in eyesight and under control; this appears to refer to the off-leash areas, so the bylaw (leash or control required off the owner's property) is followed. Aggressive dogs must be on a leash at all times in public.Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, s. 14.4; "At Large"; Responsible Pet Ownership · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmust not cause, permit, allow, or fail to prevent that Animal to be At Large within the Town except Dogs in areas and at times specifically designated by a posted notice to be a Dog Off-Leash area not restrained by means of a Leash where the Animal is on Public Property or private property other than property owned or occupied by the Owner of that Animal The Owner of an Animal must not cause, permit, allow, or fail to prevent that Animal to be At Large within the Town, except Dogs in areas and at times specifically designated by a posted notice to be a Dog Off-Leash area. Unless you are in a designated off-leash area, including parks with seasonal restrictions, dogs must be on leash in the community at all times. |
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| Maximum leash length | None set. Golden's bylaw sets no maximum leash length for ordinary dogs.Read: Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control |
| Off-leash areas | Five designated off-leash areas and two off-leash trail areas, shown on the Town's off-leash map and marked by Town signs. In them the owner must carry a leash, keep the dog under control and keep a clear line of sight to it. Aggressive dogs are not allowed in them.Responsible Pet Ownership; Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, s. 14.5; "Off-Leash Area"; s. 9.1(c); Off-leash dog map, Off-leash dog areas map · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThere are five designated off-leash areas, and two off-leash trail areas for your dog to exercise and play in the community. carries a Leash; maintains a clear line of sight to the Dog at all times a sign is posted by the Town indicating a specific geographic area where an Animal may be in a public place and not be restrained by a Leash not cause, permit, allow, or fail to prevent the Dog to enter an Off-Leash area There are 5 designated off-leash areas and 2 off-leash trail areas. |
| Places dogs are not allowed | Keith King Memorial Park/Ball Diamonds: from April 1 to Sept. 30 no dogs on sports fields (dogs only on the sidelines, on leash); from Oct. 1 to March 31 dogs allowed on leash.Off-leash dog map, Off-leash dog areas map · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingApril 1 - Sept. 30: No dogs allowed on sports fields. Dogs are only allowed on the sidelines and on leash. Oct. 1 - March 31: Dogs permitted on leash. |
| Cleaning up | The owner must immediately remove the dog's excrement and put it in a suitable refuse container, whether in a public place or on private property without the owner's consent. The Town provides free pet waste bags at stations around town.Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, s. 16.1; Responsible Pet Ownership · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmust immediately remove the excrement and dispose of it in a suitable refuse container The Town provides biodegradable pet waste bags at 20 stations around Golden. |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Bylaw notice: dog at large $70 ($50 if paid within 14 days; $90 after 28 days). Failing to carry a leash, keep control or keep line of sight in an off-leash area: $70 each.Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, Schedule A, s. 14.4, 14.5; Dog Licencing Program, Fines · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDog at large $ 70.00 $ 50.00 $ 90.00 Fail to carry leash in off-leash area $ 70.00 $ 50.00 $ 90.00 There are fines for your dog being at large ($70) |
| Bylaw | Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal ControlBylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control |
How it works
Under Bylaw No. 1510, 2026, a dog must not be at large. Off the owner's property it must be on a leash and under control. The exception is a posted off-leash area. The bylaw sets no maximum leash length for ordinary dogs. Only an aggressive dog's leash is capped, at 1.2 m with no retractable leash.
Steps
- Check the Town's off-leash map for the five designated off-leash areas and two off-leash trail areas. They are marked by Town signs.
- In an off-leash area, carry a leash, keep the dog under control and keep a clear line of sight to it.
- Pick up after your dog right away and put it in a suitable refuse container. The Town provides free pet waste bags at stations around town.
Good to know
- Aggressive dogs must be on a leash in public and are not allowed in off-leash areas.
- Keith King Memorial Park and Ball Diamonds: from April 1 to Sept. 30 no dogs on the sports fields (sidelines only, on leash). From Oct. 1 to March 31 dogs are allowed on leash.
- A dog at large is a $70 bylaw notice ($50 if paid within 14 days, $90 after 28). Not carrying a leash, keeping control or keeping line of sight in an off-leash area is $70 each.
- The Town's page says dogs are "free to be off leash" elsewhere if in eyesight and under control. The bylaw requires a leash or control off your property, so confirm with Bylaw Enforcement.
- Other places where dogs are banned were not found. Follow posted signs.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Revelstoke · Radium Hot Springs · Invermere · Nakusp · New Denver · Sicamous
Sources
- Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Responsible Pet Ownership, Town of Golden (read 2026-11-08)
- Off-leash dog map, Town of Golden (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Dog Licencing Program, Town of Golden (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.