---
title: Osoyoos dog leash rules and off-leash areas
question: "Where can dogs be off leash in Osoyoos, and what are the leash rules?"
place: Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/osoyoos
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Osoyoos
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/osoyoos/dog-leash-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/osoyoos/dog-leash-rules.json"
---

# Osoyoos dog leash rules and off-leash areas

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

**Short answer:** In Osoyoos, a dog may not be at large anywhere in the Town except a posted off-leash area. Dogs must be leashed and under control in parks. Off-leash spots include the West Bench Dog Park. A bylaw notice for no leash is $75.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Osoyoos, https://www.osoyoos.ca)  
**Cost:** Bylaw notice: dog not leashed $75 ($60 if paid within 14 days). Municipal ticket: $75. Unlicensed dog at large $100 on both.  
**How long:** Not applicable; the rules apply at all times.  
**Where:**
- In person: Town Hall, Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control, 8707 Main Street, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays)
- Phone: Town Hall (Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control), 250-495-6515

## Key facts

- **Leash rule:** A dog must not be at large anywhere in the Town except in a posted off-leash area. In parks, dogs are allowed only on pathways, promenades and grassy areas, on a leash and under control. Dogs are not allowed on school grounds or in swimming areas except a designated dog swim area.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, s. 27, 30](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/)
  - Official wording: "must not cause, permit, or allow that dog to be at large within the" … "Town, except in areas and at times specifically designated by a posted notice to be a dog" … "Dogs or animals are permitted only on the pathways, promenades and grassy area in all" … "Parks on a leash and under control subject to the following exemptions:"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, s. 2 (definition)](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/)
  - Official wording: "means both not restrained by a leash and under control where the dog is located on"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Maximum leash length:** The bylaw sets no maximum length for an ordinary dog's leash. For aggressive and vicious dogs in public places the leash may be no longer than 1.2 metres and must not be a retractable style.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, s. 49(c), 52(c)](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/)
  - Official wording: "maximum length of 1.2 metres from owner to dog, suitable to the size and strength" … "of the dog, and which must not include a retractable style leash;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Off-leash areas:** Dogs may be off leash only in areas posted by a Town sign. Schedule C of the bylaw lists the West Bench Dog Park and a seasonal dog section in the Boat Trailer Parking Lot (6901 Main Street), plus designated dog swimming areas. The owner must carry a leash, keep the dog under control and keep it in sight.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, s. 28; Schedule C](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/)
  - Official wording: "a) carries a leash;" … "c) always maintains a clear line of sight to the dog." … "Dog Park Section – West Bench Dog Park" … "Seasonal Dog Section – Boat Trailer Parking Lot (6901 Main Street)" … "Note 3 Dog swimming areas"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Places dogs are not allowed:** Cottonwood Beach at any time; school grounds; and any swimming area other than a designated dog swim area. Aggressive and vicious dogs are also barred from off-leash areas.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, s. 30, 49(d), 52(d); Schedule C](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/)
  - Official wording: "No dog or animal is permitted on Cottonwood Beach at any time." … "An Owner must not permit or allow a dog on school grounds or in any swimming"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, Schedule C](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/)
  - Official wording: "Dogs are NOT permitted on Cottonwood Beach at any time."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cleaning up:** The owner of an animal that defecates in a public place, or on private property without the owner's consent, must immediately remove the excrement and put it in a suitable refuse container.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, s. 33](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/)
  - Official wording: "defecates in a public place or on any private property without the consent" … "must immediately remove the excrement and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, dog at large or off leash:** Bylaw notice: dog not leashed $75 ($60 if paid within 14 days); unlicensed dog at large $100 first offence, rising with repeats; licensed dog first offence $0. Municipal ticket: not leashed $75; at large $100. Schedules still cite repealed Bylaw 1316; no amendment for 1393 found.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1392, 2025, Schedule A, Animal Control](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/150460/)
  - Official wording: "17(1)(a) Dog not leashed $75 $60 $85 Yes" … "Unlicensed Dog at large – 1st offence $100 $80 $110 Yes" … "Increase $50 each subsequent" … "Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1316, 2016" … "Dog not leashed"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1279, 2011, Schedule 6](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/82635/)
  - Official wording: "Dog not leashed 17 (1) a) $75 $60" … "Unlicensed Dog at large – 1st offence $100 $80"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, s. 1](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/)
  - Official wording: "Animal Care and Control Bylaw No.1393, 2026."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the Town of Osoyoos's [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/), a dog must not be at large anywhere in the Town except in a posted off-leash area. "At large" on public property means both not on a leash and not under control. Under control means the dog comes back when called, is held by hand, voice command or electronic device, and is not acting aggressively.

In parks, dogs are allowed only on pathways, promenades and grassy areas, on a leash and under control. The bylaw sets no maximum leash length for an ordinary dog.

## Off-leash areas

- Dogs may be off leash only where a Town sign says so. The bylaw's Schedule C lists the West Bench Dog Park and a seasonal dog section in the Boat Trailer Parking Lot (6901 Main Street), plus designated dog swimming areas.
- Carry a leash, keep the dog under control and keep it in sight.
- Aggressive and vicious dogs may not enter off-leash areas.

## Where dogs are not allowed

- Cottonwood Beach, at any time.
- School grounds.
- Any swimming area except a designated dog swim area.

## Good to know

- Pick up after your dog immediately and put it in a suitable refuse container.
- Fines: a bylaw notice for a dog not on a leash is $75 ($60 if paid within 14 days). An unlicensed dog at large is $100 for a first offence, rising for repeats; a licensed dog's first offence is $0. A municipal ticket is $75 for not leashed and $100 for at large. Both schedules still cite the repealed Bylaw 1316; confirm the amount with the Town.
- Report problems to Bylaw Enforcement at bylaw@osoyoos.ca or 250-495-6515.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, Town of Osoyoos (PDF)](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/)

## Related questions

- [Osoyoos dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/osoyoos/dog-licence.md)
- [Osoyoos rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/osoyoos/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Osoyoos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/osoyoos/how-many-pets.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Oliver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Keremeos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Midway](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/midway/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Grand Forks](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/grand-forks/dog-leash-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, Town of Osoyoos (PDF)](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/160422/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1392, 2025, Town of Osoyoos (PDF)](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/150460/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1279, 2011, Town of Osoyoos (PDF)](https://osoyoos.civicweb.net/document/82635/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Animal Control and Licensing, Town of Osoyoos](https://www.osoyoos.ca/services/bylaw-enforcement/animal-control-licensing) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Town of Osoyoos. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/osoyoos/dog-leash-rules/_