Lantzville dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In Lantzville a dog must not be "at large": off the owner's property and not under the immediate control of a responsible person. The bylaw does not say in so many words that every dog must be leashed, and the District's pages do not list off-leash areas. Ask Bylaw Enforcement.
Key facts
| Leash rule | A dog must not be "at large", meaning elsewhere than on the owner's land or premises and not under the immediate charge and control of a responsible person. The owner must not let the dog harass or molest a person or an animal.Regional District of Nanaimo Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066, 1996, s. 2 (at large); s. 4(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingbeing elsewhere than on lands or premises of the owner and not being under the immediate charge and control of a responsible person The owner of a dog shall not permit or allow their dog: (a) to be at large. (b) to harass or molest a person or an animal. |
|---|---|
| Maximum leash length | The bylaw sets no maximum leash length for ordinary dogs. It defines a leash as not more than 6 feet long, and requires one in terms only for dangerous dogs (s. 4(3)).Regional District of Nanaimo Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066, 1996, s. 2 ("Leash") · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthat does not exceed six(6) feet in length means a chain or other material of sufficient strength not exceed six(6) feet in length, that is suitable for a control of a The owner of a dangerous dog shall not permit or allow their dangerous dog: |
| Off-leash areas | Not confirmed. The District's pages and bylaws that were read do not list off-leash areas. |
| Places dogs are not allowed | None set. The District's bylaws that were read do not ban dogs from beaches, parks or sports fields.Read: Regional District of Nanaimo Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066, 1996 |
| Cleaning up | None set. The District's bylaws that were read do not require owners to pick up after their dogs.Read: Regional District of Nanaimo Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066, 1996 |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | No ticket amount is set for an ordinary dog at large. Conviction under Bylaw 1066 carries a fine of up to $2,000. The ticket schedule lists only "Dangerous dog at large" at $500.Regional District of Nanaimo Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066, 1996, s. 6(2); Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 100, Amendment Bylaw No. 378, 2024, Appendix 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingliable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) Dangerous dog at large 4. (3) (a) $500.00 |
| Bylaw | Regional District of Nanaimo Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066, 1996Regional District of Nanaimo Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066, 1996, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066, 1996" |
How it works
Lantzville follows the Regional District of Nanaimo's Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066. A dog is "at large" when it is anywhere other than its owner's land or premises and not under the immediate charge and control of a responsible person. An owner must not let a dog be at large, or let it harass or molest a person or an animal.
Good to know
- The bylaw defines a leash as no more than 6 feet long, but it requires one in terms only for dangerous dogs. It sets no maximum leash length for other dogs.
- The District's pages and bylaws we read do not list off-leash areas, ban dogs from beaches, parks or sports fields, or require owners to pick up after their dogs. Ask Bylaw Enforcement Services (250.933.8092) or Animal Control (1.888.754.1397).
- No ticket amount is set for an ordinary dog at large. A conviction under the bylaw can carry a fine of up to $2,000. The ticket schedule lists only a dangerous dog at large, at $500.
- Impound fee for a dog at large: $50 the first time, $100 for a second or later impounding within six months.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Nanaimo · Parksville · Qualicum Beach · Sechelt · Ladysmith · Gibsons
Sources
- Regional District of Nanaimo Animal Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 1066, 1996 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 100, Amendment Bylaw No. 378, 2024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact information, District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 2 are recorded as not set; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.