---
title: Richmond dog leash rules and off-leash areas
question: "Where can dogs be off leash, and what are the leash rules?"
place: Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/richmond
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Richmond
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/dog-leash-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/dog-leash-rules.json"
---

# Richmond dog leash rules and off-leash areas

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

**Short answer:** In the City of Richmond, dogs must be on a leash on every street and in every public place, including parks, except inside a posted designated dog off-leash area. The City lists its off-leash parks and a map. Dogs are banned from some parks and sensitive areas.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Richmond, https://www.richmond.ca)  
**Cost:** A bylaw notice for not leashing a dog is $150 ($125 if paid within 28 days, $175 after 60 days).  
**Where:**
- Online: Dogs in Parks page and off-leash map, https://www.richmond.ca/parks-recreation/parks/dogsinparks.htm
- Phone: BC SPCA Richmond Animal Services (report off-leash dogs), 604-709-4668 (Phone line open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. After hours, RCMP non-emergency 604-278-1212.)

## Key facts

- **Leash rule:** Every dog owner must keep the dog on a leash at all times on any street or in any public place, and must not let the dog run at large. Exception: designated dog off-leash areas, where the owner must carry a leash, keep the dog in view and keep effective control so it returns when signalled. In parks, dogs must be on leash outside designated off-leash areas.
  - Source: [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation), s. 2.3.2.1, 2.3.5.1](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
  - Official wording: "must keep such dog on a leash at all times while on any street or in" … "any public place; and" … "may not permit their dog to run at large" … "carries a leash;" … "keeps the dog in view at all times;" … "maintains effective control of the dog so that the dog immediately"
  - Source: [Dogs in Parks, Dog Off-Leash Areas](https://www.richmond.ca/parks-recreation/parks/dogsinparks.htm)
  - Official wording: "Dogs must be on-leash at all times unless in a designated dogs off-leash area."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Maximum leash length:** The bylaw defines a leash as no more than 3 metres long. A dangerous dog must be on a leash not longer than 1.2 metres, and muzzled, off its owner's property.
  - Source: [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation), s. 1 Interpretation, 2.3.4.2](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no more than three (3) meters in" … "on a leash not longer than 1.2 metres; and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Off-leash areas:** Only in designated dog off-leash areas inside certain parks, which are posted by sign; elsewhere dogs stay on leash. The City lists them (for example Garden City Park, No. 3 Road Bark Park, South Arm Community Park, Steveston Community Park, Woodwards Slough, McDonald Beach Park) and has a Dogs Off-Leash Dynamic Map and a brochure. An owner may have no more than three dogs off leash at once (professional dog walkers with a valid off-leash permit may have up to six in McDonald Park and Woodwards Slough Park).
  - Source: [Dogs in Parks, Designated Dogs Off-Leash Locations](https://www.richmond.ca/parks-recreation/parks/dogsinparks.htm)
  - Official wording: "To view a detailed, dynamic map of all the current dog off-leash areas located within Richmond parks" … "Garden City Park - along Granville Avenue, near parking area" … "No. 3 Road Bark Park - south foot of No. 3 Road along South Dyke Trail" … "Dogs are permitted off-leash only in these specific, designated areas and must remain on-leash throughout the rest of the park."
  - Source: [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation), s. 2.3.5.2](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No owner may have more than three (3) dogs off-leash at" … "a valid off-leash permit may have up to six (6) dogs off-leash in"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Places dogs are not allowed:** Dogs (and other animals) are not allowed in Terra Nova Rural Park, Richmond Nature Park, North East Bog Forest, any environmentally sensitive area, or on a sports court, artificial turf field or running track. Exception: an assistance dog required by a person with a disability.
  - Source: [Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw 8771, s. 2.5.3](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8771_-_07262158963.pdf)
  - Official wording: "With the exception of an assistance dog required by a person with a disability," … "(a) Terra Nova Rural Park;" … "(b) Richmond Nature Park;" … "(c) North East Bog Forest;" … "(d) an environmentally sensitive area; or" … "(e) a sports court, artificial turf field or running track."
  - Source: [Dogs in Parks, Non-Permitted Dog Areas](https://www.richmond.ca/parks-recreation/parks/dogsinparks.htm)
  - Official wording: "There are three places in Richmond where dogs are not permitted:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cleaning up:** The owner must clean up immediately any dog excrement left on any parcel other than the owner's own. This applies whether or not the dog is under the owner's care at the time. Not required of the owner of an assistance dog.
  - Source: [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation), s. 2.3.3](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every owner of a dog must ensure that any excrement deposited on" … "any parcel, other than the parcel of the owner, is cleaned up" … "do not apply to the owner of an assistance dog."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, dog at large or off leash:** Bylaw notice (Bylaw 8122 Schedule A): $150 for failing to leash a dog or letting a dog run at large ($125 if paid within 28 days; $175 if paid after 60 days). Dog off leash in an unauthorized park area: $150 ($125 early; $175 late). Failing to control a dog in an off-leash area: $150. Failing to leash a dog showing aggressive behaviour: $100 ($75 early; $125 late).
  - Source: [Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A, Schedule A - Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8122_02092678501.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Failure by owner to leash a dog 2.3.2.1(a) No $ 150.00 $ 125.00 $ 175.00 n/a" … "Permitting a dog to run at large 2.3.2.1(b) No $ 150.00 $ 125.00 $ 175.00 n/a" … "Failure to control a dog in a designated off- 2.3.5.1 No $ 150.00 $ 125.00 $ 175.00 n/a" … "Failure of owner to leash a dog displaying 2.3.5.3 No $ 100.00 $ 75.00 $ 125.00 n/a"
  - Source: [Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A, Schedule A - Parks Bylaw 8771](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8122_02092678501.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Animal off leash in unauthorized area 2.5.2(a) No $ 150.00 $ 125.00 $ 175.00 n/a"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 7932 (leashing, clean-up, off-leash areas); Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw No. 8771 (parks).
  - Source: [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation), title](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)
  - Official wording: "CITY OF RICHMOND ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATION BYLAW NO. 7932 EFFECTIVE DATE - JUNE 13, 2005 CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY"
  - Source: [Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw 8771, title](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8771_-_07262158963.pdf)
  - Official wording: "PUBLIC PARKS AND SCHOOL GROUNDS" … "BYLAW NO. 8771"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf) requires every dog owner in Richmond to keep the dog on a leash at all times on any street or in any public place, and not to let it run at large. The bylaw defines a leash as no more than 3 metres long. In parks, dogs must be on leash outside designated off-leash areas (see [Parks Bylaw 8771](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8771_-_07262158963.pdf)). On your own property a dog need not be leashed, but it must be securely confined.

## Steps

1. Check the City's Dogs Off-Leash map for an area near you. Off-leash areas are inside certain parks and posted by sign. Examples include Garden City Park, No. 3 Road Bark Park, South Arm Community Park, Steveston Community Park, Woodwards Slough and McDonald Beach Park.
2. In an off-leash area, carry a leash, keep your dog in view and keep it under control so it returns when signalled.
3. Leash your dog immediately if it shows aggressive behaviour, even in an off-leash area.
4. Clean up at once any dog excrement left on any land other than your own.

## Good to know

- No more than three dogs off leash at once per owner. Professional dog walkers with a valid off-leash permit may have up to six in McDonald Park and Woodwards Slough Park.
- Dogs and other animals are not allowed in Terra Nova Rural Park, Richmond Nature Park, North East Bog Forest, any environmentally sensitive area, or on a sports court, artificial turf field or running track. Dogs also must not enter a fountain, pond, pool, wading pool or water park. Assistance dogs are exempt from the first ban.
- Assistance dog owners do not have to clean up.
- A dangerous dog must be on a leash no longer than 1.2 metres, and muzzled, off its owner's property.
- Bylaw notices: $150 for failing to leash or letting a dog run at large ($125 early, $175 late). Off leash in an unauthorized park area is also $150. Failing to leash an aggressive dog is $100 ($75 early, $125 late).
- The City's park list includes some temporary or pilot sites, so confirm on the map.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dogs Off-Leash Dynamic Map](https://corportal1.richmond.ca/portal/apps/storymaps/stories/bf3717ea749a47928816ad3463fc4c5c)
- [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Richmond dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/dog-licence.md)
- [Richmond rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/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)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/dog-leash-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Dogs in Parks, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/parks-recreation/parks/dogsinparks.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 7932 (consolidation) (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bylaw_No_7932_Consolidation_07272057004.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw 8771 (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8771_-_07262158963.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8122_02092678501.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Richmond. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/dog-leash-rules/_