Northern Rockies dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash in Northern Rockies, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, a dog may not run at large inside the Animal Control boundary. On a street, in a park or other public place it must be leashed and under a competent person's control. A leash may not be longer than 2.4 m (6 ft). A dog park pilot is under way.
Key facts
| Leash rule | Dogs must not run at large. A dog is at large if it is not leashed and under a competent person's control on a highway, in a park or other public place; on a property it must be confined in a building, securely tethered or behind an adequate fence. Applies inside the Animal Control boundary (Map 1).Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, s. 10.1 and definition of Running at large; Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Leashing and running-at-large · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo dog or cat owner shall permit, suffer or allow any dog or cat to be running at large. Not leashed and under the control of a competent person while on a highway or in a park or other public place not confined within a building or securely tethered or prevented from leaving the property by an adequate fence Dogs must be leashed when in public |
|---|---|
| Maximum leash length | Maximum 2.4 m (6 ft). The bylaw defines a leash as a chain or other strong material that does not exceed that length.Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, s. 5.1 definition of Leash · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingsufficient strength that does not exceed 2.4 meters (six feet) in length |
| Off-leash areas | The NRRM is running a Dog Park Pilot Project to test dedicated off-leash dog parks at two sites: Mile 295 Muskwa Heights Park and Mile 301 Roy Gairdner Memorial Ball Park.Dog Park Pilot Project, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga pilot at two locations: Mile 295 Muskwa Heights Park and Mile 301 Roy Gairdner Memorial Ball Park |
| Places dogs are not allowed | Not confirmed. Neither the bylaw nor the website lists parks or beaches where dogs are banned. |
| Cleaning up | If a dog defecates on any public property or on private property other than its owner's, the owner must remove the faeces immediately. Exception: an assistance dog whose handler's disability prevents it.Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, s. 12.2; Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Pick up after your dog · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthe owner shall cause such faeces to be removed immediately, except in the case of an assistance dog Pick up and dispose of dog waste from any public or private property |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Bylaw notice: $50 ($45 if paid within 21 days; $55 after 32 days).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 59, 2011 (PDF, consolidated May 2024), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Schedule A, Animal Control · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDog or Cat Running at Large 10.1 $50 $45 $55 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009.Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, cover and s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAnimal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 |
How it works
The Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 applies inside the Animal Control boundary (Map 1). A dog is "at large" if it is not leashed and under a competent person's control on a highway, in a park or in another public place. On a property it must be confined in a building, securely tethered or behind an adequate fence. The bylaw defines a leash as a chain or other strong material not longer than 2.4 m.
Steps
- Keep your dog leashed in public places, on a leash no longer than 2.4 m.
- At home, keep it in a building, securely tethered or behind an adequate fence.
- Pick up your dog's faeces immediately if it goes on public property or on anyone else's property. An assistance dog whose handler's disability prevents this is excepted.
Good to know
- The municipality is testing off-leash dog parks at Mile 295 Muskwa Heights Park and Mile 301 Roy Gairdner Memorial Ball Park. The page describes this as a pilot with preparations under way and gives no map, hours or rules, so check with the municipality before relying on it.
- Neither the bylaw nor the website lists parks or beaches where dogs are banned. Ask Animal Control if unsure.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
New Hazelton · Granisle · Mackenzie · Fort St. John · Chetwynd · Smithers
Sources
- Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Dog Park Pilot Project, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 59, 2011 (PDF, consolidated May 2024), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (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 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.