Squamish dog leash rules and off-leash areas
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.
Key facts
| Leash rule | Keep a dog leashed and under a competent person's control in public outside designated off-leash areas.Be a Good Pet Guardian...Know Your Responsibilities., Animal Control brochure, Leash law, and off-leash area rules; Off-Leash Dogs, Animal Control brochure, Leash law, and off-leash area rules · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingDogs 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 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. |
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| 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.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009, Section 28, control of dangerous dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording28. 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. |
| 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.Off-Leash Dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingTo 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. |
| 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.Off-Leash Dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording* Immediately remove waste deposited by your dog and dispose of it in a garbage disposal bin. |
| Fine, dog at large or off leash | A dog at large carries a $150 notice, $135 within 14 days or $165 after 28 days.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015, Section 5 and Animal Control schedule, section 22 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official 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 |
| Bylaw | District of Squamish Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009, Section 1, citation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording1. This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “District of Squamish Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009 |
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
- Check the park or area in Off-Leash Dogs. Look up the specific park or trail you intend to use. Check the description against the signs where you enter.
- 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) and Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF).
The same question in other places
Lions Bay · Bowen Island · West Vancouver · Gibsons · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver
Sources
- Off-Leash Dogs (read 2026-11-09)
- Be a Good Pet Guardian...Know Your Responsibilities. (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Dog Licences (read 2026-11-09)
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Squamish municipal office contact information (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. How answers are checked.