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

# Surrey 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 Surrey, dogs must be on a leash held by a responsible person on any street or public place, including parks and beaches. Off leash is allowed only in the 19 designated off-leash areas. Dogs are barred from Surrey beaches May 15 to September 15, except at Blackie Spit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Surrey, https://www.surrey.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: Bylaw Services call centre, 604-591-4370
- Online: Dog off-leash areas map, https://surrey.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=75f552b8a49f41eca333367426caea3b

## Key facts

- **Leash rule:** Dogs must be on a leash held by a responsible, competent person on any highway or public place (including a school ground, park or public beach). Dogs may be off leash only in designated off-leash areas, under the owner's control. Dogs elsewhere off the owner's premises must be under the immediate charge and control of a responsible person.
  - Source: [Surrey Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 2017, No. 19105 (consolidated to Bylaw 21964, 2026), s. 2 "Run at Large"; s. 35; s. 37](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/19105)
  - Official wording: "that is not secured on a Leash to a responsible and competent person" … "shall allow or suffer the Animal to Run at Large in the City" … "When in a designated off-leash area, every Owner of a Dog, may allow their Dog to be off-"
  - Source: [Responsible Pet Ownership, Dog leashing](https://www.surrey.ca/services-payments/animals/responsible-pet-ownership)
  - Official wording: "In Surrey, dogs must be on a leash in all public places unless you’re in a designated off-leash area."
  - Source: [Surrey Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Regulation By-law, 1998, No. 13480, s. 54, 55](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_13480.pdf)
  - Official wording: "unless the dog is kept on a leash of a maximum length of three (3) metres"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Maximum leash length:** 2 metres under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw (1 metre for aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs off their property). In parks, the Parks Regulation Bylaw allows a leash up to 3 metres. (Sources differ: The two bylaws give different maximum lengths (2 m in the Animal Responsibility Bylaw definition of Leash; 3 m in Parks Regulation By-law 13480 s. 54). The Parks bylaw consolidation in the file is amended to 2017.)
  - Source: [Surrey Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 2017, No. 19105 (consolidated to Bylaw 21964, 2026), s. 2 "Leash"; s. 19, 23, 29](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/19105)
  - Official wording: "means a rope, chain, cord, or leather strip no longer than 2 metres" … "secure the Dog by a collar and Leash that is a maximum length of one (1) metre when"
  - Source: [Surrey Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Regulation By-law, 1998, No. 13480, s. 54](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_13480.pdf)
  - Official wording: "unless the dog is kept on a leash of a maximum length of three (3) metres"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Off-leash areas:** 19 designated off-leash parks, including Bear Creek, Blackie Spit, Clayton, Joe Brown, Kennedy, Serpentine and Tynehead; open dawn to dusk. All are fully fenced except Freedom, Tannery and Dogwood. In them, carry a leash, keep the dog in view and under control, remove feces, and leash it at once if it shows aggressive behaviour.
  - Source: [Dog Off-leash Areas](https://www.surrey.ca/parks-recreation/parks/park-features-amenities/dog-off-leash-areas)
  - Official wording: "Dogs must be kept on a leash in Surrey parks except in these designated off-leash areas." … "Dog off-leash areas in Surrey are open from dawn until dusk." … "All dog off-leash parks are fully fenced except Freedom, Tannery and Dogwood." … "Open map in new window"
  - Source: [Surrey Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 2017, No. 19105 (consolidated to Bylaw 21964, 2026), s. 37](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/19105)
  - Official wording: "keep the Dog in view at all times" … "immediately Leash the Dog if it displays any Aggressive Behaviour"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Places dogs are not allowed:** Surrey beaches May 15 to September 15 each year, except the off-leash area at Blackie Spit Park. Also any park area the Parks Manager designates and posts as "no dogs permitted", and water or ice in parks except where posted.
  - Source: [Responsible Pet Ownership, Dogs on beaches](https://www.surrey.ca/services-payments/animals/responsible-pet-ownership)
  - Official wording: "Dogs are not allowed on Surrey beaches between May 15 and September 15 of each year. The exception to this is the off-leash area at Blackie Spit Park."
  - Source: [Surrey Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 2017, No. 19105 (consolidated to Bylaw 21964, 2026), s. 35.1](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/19105)
  - Official wording: "The Parks Manager may designate and post precise locations and dates where Dogs are not"
  - Source: [Surrey Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Regulation By-law, 1998, No. 13480, s. 56, 57](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_13480.pdf)
  - Official wording: "allow the dog to be within a park in a designated "no dogs permitted" area." … "allow the dog or other animal to swim or enter into water"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cleaning up:** Owners must immediately remove and sanitarily dispose of any feces their animal leaves whenever it is off the owner's premises, including in off-leash areas and parks.
  - Source: [Surrey Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 2017, No. 19105 (consolidated to Bylaw 21964, 2026), s. 39, 37(d)](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/19105)
  - Official wording: "Every Owner shall, at all times when his or her Animal is off the premises of the Owner," … "immediately remove or cause to be removed any feces deposited by the Animal"
  - Source: [Surrey Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Regulation By-law, 1998, No. 13480, s. 58](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_13480.pdf)
  - Official wording: "unless that person immediately removes the excrement"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, dog at large or off leash:** Animal at large: bylaw notice $300 ($250 if paid within 14 days; $350 if late); municipal ticket $300. No leash in an off-leash area: $200 both systems. In parks: dog not on leash $200 ($150 early; $250 late) bylaw notice, $200 municipal ticket.
  - Source: [Surrey Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2016, No. 18691, Schedule A, Part 3, s. 35; s. 37(a)](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/18691)
  - Official wording: "19105 35 Animal at large $300.00 $250.00 $350.00" … "Fail to have leash $200.00 $150.00 $250.00"
  - Source: [Surrey Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2016, No. 18691, Schedule A, Parks bylaw s. 54](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/18691)
  - Official wording: "13480 54 Dog not on leash $200.00 $150.00 $250.00"
  - Source: [Surrey Municipal Ticket Information Utilization By-law, 1994, No. 12508, Schedule 4, s. 35, 37(a); Schedule 12 s. 54](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_12508.pdf)
  - Official wording: "34. Animal at large 35 $300.00" … "40. Failure to have leash 37 (a) $200.00" … "27. Dog not on leash 54 $200.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Surrey Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 2017, No. 19105; in parks, also Surrey Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Regulation By-law, 1998, No. 13480
  - Source: [Surrey Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 2017, No. 19105 (consolidated to Bylaw 21964, 2026), s. 1](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/19105)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the "Surrey Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 2017,"
  - Source: [Surrey Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Regulation By-law, 1998, No. 13480, title](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_13480.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Surrey Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Regulation By-law, 1998"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 19105](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/19105), a dog on any highway or public place, including a school ground, park or public beach, must be on a leash held by a responsible, competent person. Off the owner's premises elsewhere, the dog must be under the immediate charge and control of a responsible person. The bylaw's leash is no longer than 2 metres (1 metre for aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs off their property).

## Off-leash areas

Surrey has 19 designated off-leash parks, including Bear Creek, Blackie Spit, Clayton, Joe Brown, Kennedy, Serpentine and Tynehead. They are open dawn to dusk. All are fully fenced except Freedom, Tannery and Dogwood. The City's page has the full list and a map. In them, carry a leash, keep the dog in view and under control, and leash it at once if it shows aggressive behaviour.

## Good to know

- The [Parks Regulation By-law 13480](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_13480.pdf) allows a leash up to 3 metres in parks. The animal bylaw says 2 metres, so the shorter limit is the safe one; confirm with Bylaw Services.
- Dogs are not allowed on Surrey beaches from May 15 to September 15, except the off-leash area at Blackie Spit. This date rule is on the City's Responsible Pet Ownership page; the parks bylaw does not state it. Dogs are also barred from areas the Parks Manager posts "no dogs permitted", and from water or ice in parks except where posted.
- Remove and dispose of your dog's feces immediately, including in off-leash areas and parks.
- Vicious and dangerous dogs are not allowed in off-leash areas; aggressive dogs must be muzzled there.
- Dog at large: bylaw notice $300 ($250 if paid within 14 days; $350 if late); municipal ticket $300. In a park, a dog not on a leash is $200 as a bylaw notice ($150 early; $250 late) or $200 as a municipal ticket. No leash in an off-leash area is $200 under both.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Off-leash Areas, City of Surrey](https://www.surrey.ca/parks-recreation/parks/park-features-amenities/dog-off-leash-areas)
- [Responsible Pet Ownership](https://www.surrey.ca/services-payments/animals/responsible-pet-ownership)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 19105 (PDF)](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/19105)
- [Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Regulation By-law 13480 (PDF)](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_13480.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Surrey dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/dog-licence.md)
- [Surrey rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/dog-leash-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Off-leash Areas, City of Surrey](https://www.surrey.ca/parks-recreation/parks/park-features-amenities/dog-off-leash-areas) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Responsible Pet Ownership, City of Surrey](https://www.surrey.ca/services-payments/animals/responsible-pet-ownership) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Surrey Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 2017, No. 19105 (consolidated to Bylaw 21964, 2026)](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/19105) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Surrey Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Regulation By-law, 1998, No. 13480 (PDF)](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_13480.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Surrey Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2016, No. 18691, Schedule A](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/18691) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Surrey Municipal Ticket Information Utilization By-law, 1994, No. 12508 (PDF)](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_12508.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 Surrey. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/dog-leash-rules/_