Summerland dog leash rules and off-leash areas

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

Summerland, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Summerland, dogs must be on a leash held by the owner in public places, except in designated off-leash dog parks (Peach Orchard Beach and Dale Meadows) and, from October 1 to May 1, at certain named parks. The bylaw sets a leash maximum of 2 metres. A first no-leash bylaw notice is $100.

Key facts

Leash rule	On a leash held by the owner in any public place, except in a designated off-leash park or area, at a recognized dog show or trial, or (October 1 to May 1) at certain named parks. No dog may run at large.Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, ss. 35, 37; Dog Licencing, Owner Responsibility; Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (consolidated to May 6, 2025), s. 6(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No owner shall cause or permit a dog to run at large. the dog shall be on a leash held by the owner, unless the dog is participating in a dog show or trial recognized by the District. You must have your dog on a leash while on a highway, in a park or other public place unless it is a designated dog area Dogs are permitted off-leash during the off-season (October 1 – May 1) at Powell Beach Park, Peach Orchard Campground, Conkle Mountain Park, Cartwright Mountain, and Summerland Rodeo Grounds
Maximum leash length	Not more than 2 metres. The bylaw defines a leash as a fixed length of no more than 2 m, and a leash longer than 2 m carries a ticket.Sources differ: The dog licensing web page calls 2 m a recommendation; the bylaw defines a leash as 2 m or less and the ticket schedule lists a fine for a leash over 2 m.Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, Part 3, definitions; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule A, Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw; Dog Licencing, Owner Responsibility · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording with a fixed total length of not more than 2 metres used for holding and controlling a dog Leash more than 2 meters long Part 3 $75.00 It is recommended that you use a leash no longer than 2 m (6.5 ft).
Off-leash areas	Designated off-leash dog parks: Peach Orchard Beach Park Dog Park (14877 Lakeshore Drive S) and Dale Meadows Sport Complex (10502 Dale Meadows Road). Also off leash October 1 to May 1 at Powell Beach Park, Peach Orchard Campground, Conkle Mountain Park, Cartwright Mountain and the Rodeo Grounds (not around equestrian events), but not on sports fields, courts, skateparks, beaches or near playgrounds. See the District's Dogs in Parks page.Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (consolidated to May 6, 2025), s. 6(c), (d); Dogs in Parks, Summerland Off-Leash Dog Parks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Dogs are permitted off-leash year-round only at designated District off-leash dog parks. Dogs are permitted off-leash during the off-season (October 1 – May 1) at Powell Beach Park, Peach Orchard Campground, Conkle Mountain Park, Cartwright Mountain, and Summerland Rodeo Grounds Cartwright Mountain, and Summerland Rodeo Grounds (except around equestrian events Dale Meadows Sport Complex (10502 Dale Meadows Road) Peach Orchard Beach Park Dog Park (14877 Lakeshore Drive S)
Places dogs are not allowed	Dogs are banned from public beaches, swimming areas, parks, playgrounds, sports fields, school grounds and cemeteries unless the District designates the area. The Parks bylaw allows leashed dogs in named parks (e.g. Memorial, Dale Meadows, Peach Orchard Beach, Powell Beach, Giant's Head) but not on sports fields, courts, skateparks, beaches or near playgrounds. Aggressive, dangerous and guard dogs are always banned.Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, ss. 36, 58; Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (consolidated to May 6, 2025), s. 6(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No owner shall take or allow any dog onto any public beach, swimming area, park, No owner shall take or allow an aggressive dog , dangerous dog or Guard Dog into any except on sports fields, sport courts, skateparks and beaches, or near playgrounds and spray parks. Dogs are permitted on-leash year-round at Memorial Park, Dale Meadows Park, Living Memorial Park, Peach Orchard Beach Park, Powell Beach Park, Peach Orchard Campground, Giant’s Head Park, Conkle Mountain Park, Cartwright Mountain, “Horse Beach”, and Summerland Rodeo Grounds
Cleaning up	Pick up and dispose of your dog's excrement immediately, in a sanitary manner, on any property other than your own. On your own property remove it in a timely way so there is no buildup or odour.Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, ss. 40, 41 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No owner shall permit a dog to deposit excrement on public or private property other than the property of the owner unless the owner immediately removes the excrement and disposes of it in a sanitary manner. Every owner shall remove and dispose of any excrement on the premises owned or occupied by the owner
Fine, dog at large or off leash	Run at large (s. 35). Bylaw notice: 1st $100, 2nd $250, 3rd and later $500 (early $90/$225/$450; late $110/$275/$500). Municipal ticket: $250/$500/$750. No leash (s. 37). Bylaw notice: $100/$200/$300 (early $90/$175/$250; late $110/$225/$350). Municipal ticket: $200/$350/$500.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule A, Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw ss. 35, 37; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule 10, ss. 35, 37 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Run at large: 3rd and subsequent offence $500.00 $450.00 $500.00 No leash: 37 No 2nd offence $200.00 $175.00 $225.00 3rd and subsequent offence $300.00 $250.00 $350.00 Run at large: 35. 3rd and subsequent offence $750.00 No leash: 37. 1st offence $200.00 2nd offence $350.00
Bylaw	Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024 (ss. 35-38); in District parks also Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2022-012, s. 6 (Animals in Parks).Dog Licencing, Owner Responsibility; Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (consolidated to May 6, 2025), s. 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Please consult the Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024 for more information. Dogs are permitted off-leash year-round only at designated District off-leash dog parks.

How it works

Under the Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, no dog may run at large in the District of Summerland. In any public place a dog must be on a leash held by its owner, except in a designated off-leash park or area, at a recognized dog show or trial, or at certain named parks from October 1 to May 1. The bylaw defines a leash as a fixed length of no more than 2 metres, and a longer leash carries a ticket.

Dogs are banned from public beaches, swimming areas, parks, playgrounds, sports fields, school grounds and cemeteries unless the District designates the area. The Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (s. 6) designates named parks where leashed dogs are allowed, including Memorial, Dale Meadows, Living Memorial, Peach Orchard Beach, Powell Beach and Giant's Head. Even there, dogs are not allowed on sports fields, courts, skateparks, beaches or near playgrounds.

Good to know

Off-leash dog parks: Peach Orchard Beach Park Dog Park (14877 Lakeshore Drive S) and Dale Meadows Sport Complex (10502 Dale Meadows Road).
Off leash from October 1 to May 1: Powell Beach Park, Peach Orchard Campground, Conkle Mountain Park, Cartwright Mountain and the Rodeo Grounds (not around equestrian events), with the same limits on sports fields, courts, skateparks, beaches and playgrounds. See the District's Dogs in Parks page.
Sun-Oka Beach Provincial Park is also listed as an off-leash dog beach, but it is a provincial park, not a District one.
The District's dog licensing page calls the 2 m leash length a recommendation. The bylaw and ticket schedule treat it as a limit, so keep to 2 m.
Pick up your dog's waste immediately on any property other than your own. On your own property, remove it promptly so there is no buildup or odour. A bylaw notice for failing to pick up is $150; a municipal ticket is $250.
Run at large: a bylaw notice is $100 first, $250 second, $500 third and later; a municipal ticket is $250, $500, $750. No leash: a bylaw notice is $100, $200, $300; a municipal ticket is $200, $350, $500. Paying a bylaw notice within 14 days is cheaper (no-leash first offence $90).
Aggressive, dangerous and guard dogs are always banned from parks.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Penticton · Peachland · West Kelowna · Kelowna · Keremeos · Oliver

Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Dogs in Parks, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)
Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (consolidated to May 6, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Dog Licencing, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)

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