Parksville dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In the City of Parksville a dog off its owner's property must be on a leash of 6 feet (183 cm) or shorter, except in the off-leash dog park on Despard Avenue near Springwood Park. Dogs are banned from Parksville and Rathtrevor beaches in March and April, even on a leash.
Key facts
| Leash rule | A dog may not be "at large": anywhere off the owner's own property it must be on a leash. Exceptions: inside a designated off-leash area under the owner's supervision and control, or a dog under contract with the City for controlling wild birds.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1524, 2016 (consolidated to 1524.1), s. 1 and s. 24; Dogs in Parks, Dogs in Parks page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording"AT LARGE" when used in reference to a dog, means being elsewhere than on the lands or premises of a person owning or having the care, custody of control of any such dog, and not being on a leash. the dog is within a designated off leash area, provided that such dog shall at all times be under the supervision and control of their owner. Dogs are welcome ON LEASH in Parksville |
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| Maximum leash length | The bylaw defines a leash as a line, rope, cord, strap or chain no longer than 6 feet (183 cm), strong enough to restrain the dog.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1524, 2016 (consolidated to 1524.1), s. 1, "Leash" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording"LEASH" means a line, rope, cord, strap or chain that does not exceed a length of 6 ft. (183 cm) that is of sufficient strength to restrain a dog without breaking |
| Off-leash areas | One off-leash dog park on Despard Avenue near Springwood Park. Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated, leashed going in and out, and the owner must stay with the dog; no puppies under four months.Dogs in Parks, Dogs in Parks page; Etiquette for Parksville Parks and Open Spaces, Park etiquette page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThere is an off-leash dog park located on Despard Avenue near Springwood Park Dogs must be properly licensed and vaccinated to use an off-leash area. No puppies under four months old are permitted. Keep your dog on a leash unless visiting our designated off-leash |
| Places dogs are not allowed | Parksville and Rathtrevor beaches during the Brant geese migratory season in March and April, even on a leash.Dogs in Parks, Dogs in Parks page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnnually during Brant geese migratory season in March and April, dogs are not allowed on Parksville or Rathtrevor beaches even when on leash. |
| Cleaning up | The owner must immediately remove the dog's excrement from another person's property or public land and dispose of it in a sanitary, lawful way. The bylaw does not apply to a blind person with a guide dog.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1524, 2016 (consolidated to 1524.1), s. 26; Dog Licences, Dog Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAn owner whose dog defecates on another person's property or public lands shall forthwith remove the excrement and dispose of it in a sanitary and lawful manner. Every dog owner must immediately remove excrement left by their dog on another person's property or on public property. |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Bylaw notice: $75 ($56.25 if paid within 14 days; $93.75 late). Second offence $112.50; third and later $168.75.Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1486, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Control Bylaw s. 24 (or 27) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDog At Large $75.00 $56.25 $93.75 Second offence $112.50 $112.50 Third and subsequent offences $168.75 $168.75 |
| Bylaw | City of Parksville Animal Control Bylaw, 2016, No. 1524Animal Control Bylaw No. 1524, 2016 (consolidated to 1524.1), s. 37 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "City of Parksville Animal Control Bylaw, 2016, |
How it works
Under the City's Animal Control Bylaw 1524, a dog may not be "at large". Anywhere off your own property it must be on a leash, a line, rope, cord, strap or chain no longer than 6 feet (183 cm). The exceptions are a designated off-leash area, where the dog must be under your supervision and control, and a dog under contract with the City to control wild birds.
Steps
- Keep your dog on a leash on streets, trails and in parks. The City's trail page also asks for a short leash.
- To let it run, use the off-leash dog park on Despard Avenue near Springwood Park.
- In March and April, keep dogs off Parksville and Rathtrevor beaches entirely, even on a leash.
Good to know
- Off-leash park rules from the City page: dogs must be licensed and vaccinated, leashed going in and out, and the owner must stay with the dog. No puppies under four months.
- No map or list of other off-leash areas was found. Ask Bylaw Compliance at 250-954-4650.
- The beach ban is for the Brant geese migration. No other dog bans (playgrounds, sports fields) were found in the City's park rules.
- You must immediately remove your dog's excrement from another person's property or public land and dispose of it in a sanitary, lawful way. This does not apply to a blind person with a guide dog.
- Impound fees can also apply.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Qualicum Beach · Lantzville · Nanaimo · Port Alberni · Sechelt · Ladysmith
Sources
- Dogs in Parks, City of Parksville (read 2026-11-05)
- Etiquette for Parksville Parks and Open Spaces (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 1524, 2016 (consolidated to 1524.1) (read 2026-11-05)
- Dog Licences, City of Parksville (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1486, Schedule A (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. How answers are checked.