{"title":"Squamish dog leash rules and off-leash areas","question":"Where can dogs go off leash in Squamish, and what are the leash rules?","slug":"dog-leash-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/squamish","name":"Squamish","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Squamish","url":"https://squamish.ca"},"short_answer":"In designated Squamish off-leash areas, keep your licensed dog in sight and under voice control, carry a visible leash and remove waste immediately. Leash the dog if wildlife is present or its behaviour interferes with others.","aliases":[],"cost":null,"how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"604-892-5217"}],"documents":[],"forms":[],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Squamish dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Squamish","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"dangerous-dogs","title":"Squamish rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dangerous-dogs/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/lions-bay","name":"Lions Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/bowen-island","name":"Bowen Island","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-vancouver","name":"West Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/gibsons","name":"Gibsons","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/dog-leash-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver","name":"North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/dog-leash-rules/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-leash-rules/"},"facts":{"leash_rule":{"label":"Leash rule","value":"Keep a dog leashed and under a competent person's control in public outside designated off-leash areas.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://squamish.ca/assets/Uploads/Animal-Control-Brochure.pdf","title":"Be a Good Pet Guardian...Know Your Responsibilities. (PDF)","section":"Animal Control brochure, Leash law, and off-leash area rules","quotes":["Dogs must be on a leash and under the care and control of a competent person at all times when on public property and contained when on private property. Leash law"]},{"url":"https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/off-leash/","title":"Off-Leash Dogs","section":"Animal Control brochure, Leash law, and off-leash area rules","quotes":["To use off-leash areas in the District of Squamish you must follow these owner responsibility conditions: * Your dog has good recall or can be under voice control. * Your dog does not jump up on others. * Your dog must wear a current valid dog licence. * Carry a dog leash which is visible at all times. * Maintain a clean line of sight to your dog. * Immediately remove waste deposited by your dog and dispose of it in a garbage disposal bin."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"leash_length":{"label":"Maximum leash length","value":"For a dangerous dog, the leash or tether may be no longer than 2 m. The dog must also be muzzled and under the immediate control of a competent person. A general maximum for ordinary dogs was not confirmed.","short":"Not confirmed","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009 (PDF)","section":"Section 28, control of dangerous dogs","quotes":["28.      No owner of a dangerous dog shall permit the dog to be running at large in the District unless the dog is kept on a leash, tether or other suitable device not exceeding two metres in length, is securely muzzled so as to prevent the dog from biting a person or animal, and is under the immediate care and control of a competent person."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"off_leash_areas":{"label":"Off-leash areas","value":"In designated Squamish off-leash areas, keep your licensed dog in sight and under voice control, carry a visible leash and remove waste immediately.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/off-leash/","title":"Off-Leash Dogs","section":"Off-Leash Dogs","quotes":["To use off-leash areas in the District of Squamish you must follow these owner responsibility conditions: * Your dog has good recall or can be under voice control. * Your dog does not jump up on others. * Your dog must wear a current valid dog licence. * Carry a dog leash which is visible at all times. * Maintain a clean line of sight to your dog. * Immediately remove waste deposited by your dog and dispose of it in a garbage disposal bin. * Immediately leash your dog if it displays aggressive behaviour or unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of the area by any other person or dog. * Leash your dog if there is wildlife present. It is against the law for dogs to harass any wildlife."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"dogs_not_allowed":{"label":"Places dogs are not allowed","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","note":"Checked Off-Leash Dogs - District of Squamish - Hardwired for Adventure, Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009; not found there.","sources":[]},"clean_up":{"label":"Cleaning up","value":"Pick up immediately and use a garbage bin.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/off-leash/","title":"Off-Leash Dogs","section":"Off-Leash Dogs","quotes":["* Immediately remove waste deposited by your dog and dispose of it in a garbage disposal bin."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"fine_at_large":{"label":"Fine, dog at large or off leash","value":"A dog at large carries a $150 notice, $135 within 14 days or $165 after 28 days.","short":"Notice $150 ($135 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)","section":"Section 5 and Animal Control schedule, section 22","quotes":["(b)    if received by the District within fourteen (14) days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the discounted penalty set out in Column 2 opposite the contravention; (c)    if more than twenty-eight (28) days after the person received or is presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the late penalty set out in Column 3 opposite the contravention; or","22         Dog at large                        $150             $135                $165           No"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Squamish Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009 (PDF)","section":"Section 1, citation","quotes":["1.       This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “District of Squamish Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nPlan the whole walk, including the path from the parking area to the off-leash space. A designation for one part of a park can leave the adjoining trail, beach or playing field subject to different rules. For a dangerous dog, the leash or tether may be no longer than 2 m. The dog must also be muzzled and under the immediate control of a competent person. A general maximum for ordinary dogs was not confirmed.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check the park or area in [Off-Leash Dogs](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/off-leash/). Look up the specific park or trail you intend to use. Check the description against the signs where you enter.\n2. Take a leash even if your destination has an off-leash area. Know where the designated section ends before letting your dog run.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Pick up immediately and use a garbage bin.\n- A dog at large carries a $150 notice, $135 within 14 days or $165 after 28 days.\n- Keep a dog leashed and under a competent person's control in public outside designated off-leash areas.\n- Check the rules again when crossing a fence, leaving the park or joining a shared path. Carry bags and plan where to dispose of waste.\n- For a question about the boundary of the area where you plan to walk, call the Municipal Hall at 604-892-5217.\n- Read the applicable provisions in [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/) and [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801).","sources":[{"url":"https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/off-leash/","title":"Off-Leash Dogs","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://squamish.ca/assets/Uploads/Animal-Control-Brochure.pdf","title":"Be a Good Pet Guardian...Know Your Responsibilities. (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/dog-licences/","title":"Dog Licences","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://squamish.ca/about/contact-and-feedback/","title":"Squamish municipal office contact information","accessed":"2026-11-09"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-09","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-leash-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-leash-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-leash-rules.json"}}