Powell River 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 Powell River, off your own property a dog must be on a leash no longer than 2 metres on any street or public place. The City names one off-leash area, the fenced dog park off Duncan Street. Dogs are banned from Willingdon Beach Park and Mowat Bay Park from May 1 to September 15.
Key facts
| Leash rule | Off your own property, a dog must be on a leash or tether and under the immediate care and control of a competent person on any highway or public place. No animal may run at large. Off-leash is allowed only in designated off-leash areas.Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), ss. 14, 15; Animal Control, Running at Large · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall permit any animal to be running at large in the City. No person shall permit a dog to be on a highway or public place unless the dog is kept on a leash or tether all dogs be kept on a leash and under the control of the owner when on public property, excluding off-leash parks |
|---|---|
| Maximum leash length | 2 metres (the bylaw says a leash or tether not exceeding two metres in length).Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), s. 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga leash or tether not exceeding two metres in length |
| Off-leash areas | A fenced dog off-leash park off Duncan Street, reached by the access way next to the Mother Nature store. It has two sections; owners must keep control of their dogs and carry a leash.Animal Control, Off-Leash Park · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe fenced dog off-leash park, located off Duncan Street, with the access way adjacent to Mother Nature store Dogs must remain under their owner’s control and that owners carry a leash with them at all times |
| Places dogs are not allowed | No animals, including dogs, even on a leash: Willingdon Beach Park and Mowat Bay Park from May 1 to September 15 each year; Willingdon Beach Walkway and Fishing Float all year.Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), s. 19; Sch. C; Animal Control, Areas Where Dogs are Prohibited · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWillingdon Beach Park May 1st to September 15th inclusive in each year Willingdon Beach Walkway and Fishing Float All Year Mowat Bay Park May 1st to September 15th inclusive in each year Willingdon Beach Walkway and Float – All Year |
| Cleaning up | The person in care of the animal must immediately remove its excrement from a highway or public place and dispose of it in a sanitary manner.Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), ss. 26, 27; Animal Control, Dogs in Parks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall permit any animal to defecate upon any highway or public place. shall immediately remove the excrement so deposited and dispose of it in a sanitary manner expected to pick up after their pets immediately |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | Bylaw notice: $100 for an animal at large and $100 for a dog not leashed or tethered (each with a $20 discount if paid within 14 days and a $20 surcharge if paid after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $100 each.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026, App. 1, ss. 14, 15; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026, s. 7, Sch. A; Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 2572, 2019 (consolidated January 2022), Sch. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording14 Animal at large $100 $20 $20 15 Dog not leashed or tethered $100 $20 $20 if Paid within 14 days of the bylaw notice being received if Paid within 14 days of the bylaw notice being received the amount of the surcharge in Column A3 of Schedule "A" shall be due Animal at large 14 $ 100.00 Dog not leashed or tethered 15 $ 100.00 |
| Bylaw | City of Powell River Animal Control Bylaw No. 1979, 2003Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCity of Powell River Animal Control Bylaw No.1979, 2003 |
How it works
Under the Animal Control Bylaw, off your own property a dog must be on a leash or tether, no longer than 2 metres, and under the immediate care and control of a competent person on any street or public place. No animal may run at large. Off-leash is allowed only in designated off-leash areas.
Steps
- Keep your dog on a leash of 2 metres or less in public.
- To let it run free, use the fenced dog off-leash park off Duncan Street, reached by the access way next to the Mother Nature store. It has two sections. Keep control of your dog and carry a leash.
- Pick up after your dog right away. The person in care of the animal must remove its excrement from a street or public place and dispose of it in a sanitary manner.
Good to know
- No animals, even on a leash, are allowed at Willingdon Beach Park and Mowat Bay Park from May 1 to September 15 each year, or at Willingdon Beach Walkway and Fishing Float all year.
- In parks that permit leashed dogs, the City page says to keep dogs on the sidewalk or trails.
- The City page names no other off-leash areas and links no map. Ask the City if you are unsure.
- A bylaw notice is $100 for an animal at large and $100 for a dog not leashed or tethered ($20 discount if paid within 14 days; $20 surcharge if paid after 28 days). A municipal ticket is $100 for each.
- Report a dog off leash to Bylaw Enforcement at 604-485-8600.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Comox · Courtenay · Cumberland · Qualicum Beach · Campbell River · Parksville
Sources
- Animal Control, City of Powell River (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026 (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 2572, 2019 (consolidated January 2022) (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.