---
title: New Westminster dog leash rules and off-leash areas
question: "Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules?"
place: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/new-westminster
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of New Westminster
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dog-leash-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dog-leash-rules.json"
---

# New Westminster dog leash rules and off-leash areas

**Question:** Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules?

**Short answer:** In New Westminster a dog off its owner's property must be on a collar and leash and under control, except in a designated off-leash area. The City lists nine off-leash areas, and off-leash use is allowed inside the fenced area only. A dog off leash can cost $250 by bylaw notice.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of New Westminster, https://www.newwestcity.ca)  
**Cost:** Dog at large or off leash: bylaw notice $250 ($150 if paid within 14 days); municipal ticket $1,000.  
**Where:**
- Online: Off-Leash Dog Areas (list and maps by park), https://www.newwestcity.ca/parks-and-recreation/parks/off-leash-dog-areas
- Phone: Animal Services, 604-519-2008

## Key facts

- **Leash rule:** Except in a designated off-leash area, a dog must be on a collar and leash and under control whenever it is off the owner's property. Dogs in parks may enter only on a leash in the owner's custody.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 5.4](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Except when in a designated off leash area, every owner of a dog shall secure the dog by a collar and leash and keep the dog under control while not on the owner’s property."
  - Source: [Parks Regulation Bylaw 3646, 1959 (consolidated May 5, 2020), s. 9](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_3646__1959_Parks_Regulation(2%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dogs shall be permitted to enter the park only while they are on leash and in the actual custody of the owner"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Maximum leash length:** The bylaw sets no maximum leash length for ordinary dogs. Aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs must be on a leash of 1 metre at most when off the owner's property.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 6.2.1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "secure the dog by a collar and leash that is a maximum length of one (1) metre"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 8.2.1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "8.2.1 secure the dog by a collar and leash that is a maximum length of one (1) metre"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Off-leash areas:** Nine City off-leash areas, including Hume Park, Moody Park, Quayside, Queensborough, Queen's Park, Simcoe Park, Victoria Hill, Westburnco and West Side. Off-leash use is allowed inside the fenced area only. See the City's Off-Leash Dog Areas page.
  - Source: [Off-Leash Dog Areas, intro](https://www.newwestcity.ca/parks-and-recreation/parks/off-leash-dog-areas)
  - Official wording: "providing nine off-leash dog areas" … "Off-leash use permitted within fenced area only."
  - Source: [Off-Leash Dog Areas, Rules](https://www.newwestcity.ca/parks-and-recreation/parks/off-leash-dog-areas)
  - Official wording: "All dogs must be accompanied by and be under the control of their owner."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Places dogs are not allowed:** The bylaw names no banned places, but owners must obey all posted signs in public places (service animals excepted). Vicious and dangerous dogs may not enter off-leash areas.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 12.4](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every owner of an animal, other than a service animal, must obey all posted signs in a public place."
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 7.2.3](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "ensure that the dog is not in a designated off leash area in the City at any time"
  - Source: [Off-Leash Dog Areas, Rules](https://www.newwestcity.ca/parks-and-recreation/parks/off-leash-dog-areas)
  - Official wording: "Vicious dogs are not permitted within the fenced area."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cleaning up:** An owner must carry a suitable means to remove dog feces when off their own property, show it to a bylaw officer on request, and immediately remove and dispose of any feces in a waste container or by other sanitary means.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 5.3](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "have in their possession, a suitable means of facilitating the removal of the dog feces when on any place off the owner’s property" … "immediately remove and dispose of, in a waste container or by other sanitary means, any feces deposited by the dog"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, dog at large or off leash:** Bylaw notice: dog at large (s. 5.1) or off leash (s. 5.4) $250 ($150 if paid within 14 days; $275 late). Municipal ticket information: $1,000 each. Dog not under control in an off-leash area (s. 5.5): $100 ($75 / $125) bylaw notice; $500 ticket.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, 2009 (consolidated July 29, 2026), Sch. A Part 1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Animal at large 250.00 150.00 275.00" … "Dog off leash 250.00 150.00 275.00" … "Dog not under control in"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 8077, 2019 (consolidated July 29, 2026), Sch. B Part 1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog at large 1,000.00" … "Dog off leash 1,000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 7586, 2013 (also Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 3646, 1959 for dogs in parks).
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018), s. 1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited as “Animal Care and Control Bylaw NO. 7586, 2013”"
  - Source: [Parks Regulation Bylaw 3646, 1959 (consolidated May 5, 2020), title](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_3646__1959_Parks_Regulation(2%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "PARKS REGULATION BYLAW NO. 3646, 1959"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586](<https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf>), whenever a dog is off its owner's property it must be on a collar and leash and under control, except in a designated off-leash area. "Under control" means the dog returns immediately when called and shows no aggressive behaviour. In parks, dogs may enter only on a leash held by the owner (see the [Parks Regulation Bylaw 3646](<https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_3646__1959_Parks_Regulation(2).pdf>)). The bylaw sets no maximum leash length for ordinary dogs. Aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs must be on a leash of 1 metre or less off the owner's property.

## Off-leash area rules

1. Off-leash use is allowed within the fenced area only, and the dog must be with and under the control of its owner.
2. Carry a leash and keep your dog in view.
3. Vicious dogs are not allowed in the fenced area. Aggressive dogs must be muzzled, and any dog showing aggressive behaviour must be removed.
4. A female dog in heat must be kept out of off-leash areas.
5. Pick up after your dog and fill any holes it digs.
6. No smoking in or within 15 metres of the fenced area.

## Good to know

- The City lists nine off-leash areas: Hume Park, Moody Park, Quayside, Queensborough, Queen's Park, Simcoe Park, Victoria Hill, Westburnco and West Side. Moody Park and Queen's Park have a gate for small or shy dogs, who have priority.
- Away from your property, carry a suitable means to remove dog feces, and remove it right away.
- Obey posted signs in public places. The bylaw names no banned places, and we found no dog ban for beaches, playgrounds or sports fields.
- Dog off leash or at large: a bylaw notice is $250 ($150 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000. Dog not under control in an off-leash area: a bylaw notice is $100; a municipal ticket is $500.

## Official forms and pages

- [Off-Leash Dog Areas, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/parks-and-recreation/parks/off-leash-dog-areas)
- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586 (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf)

## Related questions

- [New Westminster dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dog-licence.md)
- [New Westminster rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/dog-leash-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Off-Leash Dog Areas, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/parks-and-recreation/parks/off-leash-dog-areas) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw 7586, 2013 (consolidated July 12, 2018) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7586_Animal.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Parks Regulation Bylaw 3646, 1959 (consolidated May 5, 2020) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_3646__1959_Parks_Regulation(2%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, 2009 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 8077, 2019 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of New Westminster. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dog-leash-rules/_