Penticton dog leash rules and off-leash areas
Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules?
Short answer
In Penticton a dog must be on a leash no longer than 2 metres (6 feet), held by the owner, unless it is in a designated off-leash area or on private property. The City lists fenced dog parks and off-leash beaches. Leash-optional zones were a 2024 pilot; confirm they still run.
Key facts
| Leash rule | A dog must be on a leash held by the owner, attached to the dog, unless it is in a designated off-leash dog park or on private property.Animal Services, Frequently Asked Questions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingunless your dog is within a designated off-leash dog park or on private property, all dogs must be on a leash The leash must be attached to the dog and be held by the owner. |
|---|---|
| Maximum leash length | A fixed total length of not more than 2 metres (6 feet).Animal Services, Frequently Asked Questions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga fixed total length of not more than 2 metres (6 feet) |
| Off-leash areas | Fenced dog parks: City Yards, Water Treatment Plant, Ellis Creek Park. Dog beaches: Okanagan Lake Park, Three Mile Beach (South Beach), Skaha Lake on Lakeside Road. Leash-optional zones at Riverside Park, Skaha Lake Park and the Water Treatment Plant entrance were a pilot the City page dates March 1 to August 31, 2024; confirm current status.Off-Leash Dog Parks & Beaches · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOkanagan Lake Park Dog Beach Three Mile Beach City Yards – 2088 Dartmouth Road Ellis Creek Park – 100 Industrial Place Riverside Park Well-behaved dogs are welcome Skaha Lake Park (Two Locations) Water Treatment Plant Entrance The pathway along the Creek to the off-leash area is part of the City’s leash-optional pilot program running from March 1 through to August 31, 2024. Feb. 15, 2024: City launches six-month pilot project of five new dog leash-optional areas |
| Places dogs are not allowed | Sports fields, cemeteries, beaches (except where designated), school property and near children's playgrounds.Off-Leash Dog Parks & Beaches, Dogs in Parks intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDogs are not allowed on sports fields, cemeteries, beaches (except where designated), school property or near children's playgrounds. |
| Cleaning up | The owner must immediately remove and dispose of dog waste in a sanitary manner whenever the dog is away from home.Animal Services, Don't Forget! / Dog Owner Responsibilities · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery owner shall, at all times when your animal is away from your home, immediately remove and dispose of dog waste in a sanitary manner. |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Animal at large (s. 7.2): bylaw notice $100 ($90 if paid within 14 days, $110 late); municipal ticket $200. Fail to control dog (s. 16.1(a)): bylaw notice $100; municipal ticket $200.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2012-5037 (consolidated June 2026), Schedule A, Appendix 2; Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2012-5021 (consolidated June 2026), Schedule B2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnimal at large 7.2 $100.00 $90.00 $110.00 Yes Fail to control dog 16.1(a) $100.00 $90.00 $110.00 Yes Animal at large 7.2 $200.00 Fail to control dog 16.1(a) $200.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 2021-02Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2012-5021 (consolidated June 2026), Schedule B2; Off-Leash Dog Parks & Beaches, Important Safety & Bylaw Requirements · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnimal Control Bylaw No. 2021-02 In accordance to the Animal Control Bylaw Section 16 |
How it works
The City's Animal Services page, based on Animal Control Bylaw No. 2021-02, says a dog must be on a leash held by the owner and attached to the dog, with a fixed total length of not more than 2 metres (6 feet). The exceptions are a designated off-leash dog park and private property. The bylaw itself is a scanned image that could not be read.
Off-leash places listed by the City
- Fenced dog parks: City Yards, Water Treatment Plant, Ellis Creek Park.
- Dog beaches: Okanagan Lake Park, Three Mile Beach (South Beach boating area, not the swimming beach) and Skaha Lake on Lakeside Road.
- Leash-optional zones at Riverside Park, Skaha Lake Park and the Water Treatment Plant entrance. The City page dates this as a pilot from March 1 to August 31, 2024 and no page says it continued, so confirm the current status with Animal Care and Control before letting a dog off leash there.
Good to know
- In the fenced areas no one may have custody of more than 3 dogs; no biting or dangerous dogs, no dogs in heat, no unattended dogs.
- Dogs are not allowed on sports fields, cemeteries, beaches (except where designated), school property or near children's playgrounds.
- Pick up after your dog immediately whenever it is away from home. The City page cites a $100 fine; the schedules show a bylaw notice of $100 and a municipal ticket of $200.
- Dog in a prohibited area: bylaw notice $100, municipal ticket $200. Failing to leash and remove a dog from an off-leash area: $200 notice, $400 ticket.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Summerland · Peachland · Oliver · Keremeos · West Kelowna · Kelowna
Sources
- Off-Leash Dog Parks & Beaches, City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Services, City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2012-5037 (PDF) (consolidated June 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2012-5021 (PDF) (consolidated June 2026) (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.