---
title: Squamish dog leash rules and off-leash areas
question: "Where can dogs go off leash in Squamish, and what are the leash rules?"
place: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/squamish
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Squamish
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-leash-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-leash-rules.json"
---

# Squamish dog leash rules and off-leash areas

**Question:** Where can dogs go off leash in Squamish, and what are the leash rules?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Squamish, https://squamish.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 604-892-5217

## Key facts

- **Leash rule:** Keep a dog leashed and under a competent person's control in public outside designated off-leash areas.
  - Source: [Be a Good Pet Guardian...Know Your Responsibilities., Animal Control brochure, Leash law, and off-leash area rules](https://squamish.ca/assets/Uploads/Animal-Control-Brochure.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Off-Leash Dogs, Animal Control brochure, Leash law, and off-leash area rules](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/off-leash/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Maximum leash length:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009, Section 28, control of dangerous dogs](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Off-leash areas:** In designated Squamish off-leash areas, keep your licensed dog in sight and under voice control, carry a visible leash and remove waste immediately.
  - Source: [Off-Leash Dogs](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/off-leash/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Places dogs are not allowed:** Not confirmed. Checked Off-Leash Dogs - District of Squamish - Hardwired for Adventure, Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009; not found there.
- **Cleaning up:** Pick up immediately and use a garbage bin.
  - Source: [Off-Leash Dogs](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/off-leash/)
  - Official wording: "* Immediately remove waste deposited by your dog and dispose of it in a garbage disposal bin."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fine, dog at large or off leash:** A dog at large carries a $150 notice, $135 within 14 days or $165 after 28 days.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015, Section 5 and Animal Control schedule, section 22](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801)
  - Official wording: "(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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** District of Squamish Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009, Section 1, citation](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/)
  - Official wording: "1. This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “District of Squamish Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

Plan 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.

## Steps

1. 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.
2. Take a leash even if your destination has an off-leash area. Know where the designated section ends before letting your dog run.

## Good to know

- Pick up immediately and use a garbage bin.
- A dog at large carries a $150 notice, $135 within 14 days or $165 after 28 days.
- Keep a dog leashed and under a competent person's control in public outside designated off-leash areas.
- 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.
- For a question about the boundary of the area where you plan to walk, call the Municipal Hall at 604-892-5217.
- 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).

## Related questions

- [Squamish dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-licence.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Squamish](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/how-many-pets.md)
- [Squamish rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/dog-leash-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Off-Leash Dogs](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/off-leash/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Be a Good Pet Guardian...Know Your Responsibilities. (PDF)](https://squamish.ca/assets/Uploads/Animal-Control-Brochure.pdf) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Dog Licences](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/dog-licences/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Squamish municipal office contact information](https://squamish.ca/about/contact-and-feedback/) (read 2026-11-09)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Squamish. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-leash-rules/_