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

# Vernon 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 Vernon, a dog off its owner's property must be in a vehicle or on a leash of 2 metres or less held by a person able to restrain it. Dogs may be off leash only in signed dog parks. The rules are in the Regional District of North Okanagan's Dog Control Bylaw.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Regional District of North Okanagan, https://www.rdno.ca)  
**Cost:** Dog at large $150 (bylaw notice; $120 if paid within 14 days) or $150 ticket. Off leash in an on-leash area $100 ($80 early). Off leash in a dog park contrary to the rules $150 ($120 early). Repeat offences are charged double.  
**Where:**
- Online: Dog-friendly parks, beaches and trails map (PDF), https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/Dog%20Park%20Map%202026.pdf
- Phone: RDNO Dog Control, 250-541-3647
- Email: RDNO Dog Control, dogbylaw@rdno.ca

## Key facts

- **Leash rule:** A dog must not be at large anywhere in the service area (which includes Vernon): off the owner's property it must be in a vehicle or on a leash held by a person able to restrain it. Off leash only in signed dog parks.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 5 (At Large), 20, 26](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Owner shall cause or permit his or her Dog to be At Large within the Service Area." … "is not securely attached to a Leash held by a person who has the ability to restrain the Dog" … "An Owner may cause or permit a dog to be off-Leash in a designated off-Leash Dog Park"
  - Source: [Dog Control, Regional District of North Okanagan, What You Need to Know](https://www.rdno.ca/dogcontrol)
  - Official wording: "Dogs must be leashed at all times unless in a designated off-leash area."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Maximum leash length:** 2 metres at most. For an aggressive or dangerous dog in a public place the maximum is 1 metre.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 5 (Leash), 31](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no more than 2 metres in length" … "controlled on a Leash securely held and with a maximum length of one (1) metre"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Off-leash areas:** Only in signed dog parks. The dog must wear a collar or harness and a valid tag, the owner must carry a leash and keep the dog in sight and under verbal control, and no more than four dogs per owner. The City posts a Dog Park Locations Map (PDF) on its Parks page.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 25, 26](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Owner shall take, or allow, more than four (4) Dogs at one time to enter upon or be in a Dog Park." … "The Dog wears a collar or harness and a valid Dog Tag;" … "The Owner has in his or her possession a Leash to control the Dog;"
  - Source: [Parks](https://www.vernon.ca/parks-recreation/parks-fields-beaches/parks)
  - Official wording: "Dog Park Locations Map"
  - Source: [Dog-friendly Parks, Beaches & Trails map, Tourism Vernon, 2026](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/Dog%20Park%20Map%202026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Keep dogs under control at all times."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Places dogs are not allowed:** Public beaches, swimming areas and parkland unless signed on-leash or a dog park (RDNO bylaw); any public place with a City sign banning dogs. Aggressive or dangerous dogs: sports fields, playgrounds, beaches, parkland, dog parks, school grounds. City parks bylaw allows dogs in parks only where a dog park sign says so. (Sources differ: Two City-area bylaws differ: RDNO Bylaw 2881 s. 23 allows dogs on parkland signed as on-leash, while City Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057 s. 6(a)(i) bars dogs from parks unless a City sign authorizes dogs at a dog park. The tourism map lists on-leash parks and trails. Guide dogs are exempt from s. 22.)
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 22, 23, 32](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every Owner of a Dog must ensure that the Dog does not enter upon and remain within any public beaches, swimming areas, or Parkland unless the public beach, swimming area or Parkland is designated by signage as an on-Leash area or a Dog Park." … "No Owner shall allow an Aggressive Dog or a Dangerous Dog into any sports field, playground, public beach, swimming area, Parkland, off-Leash Dog Park, or school grounds at any time."
  - Source: [Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057, s. 6(a)(i), 6(a)(ii)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/parks_and_public_places_bylaw_5057.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A person must not take a dog into, or allow a dog to go into a park" … "where the park is a dog park and a City sign expressly authorizes dogs." … "A person must not take a dog into a public place if a City sign expressly prohibits dogs from entering the area."
  - Source: [Dog-friendly Parks, Beaches & Trails map, Tourism Vernon, 2026](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/Dog%20Park%20Map%202026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dogs are NOT permitted on playing fields or beaches unless it is a designated pet area."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cleaning up:** Owners must carry a way to remove their dog's waste in any public place, and promptly remove and dispose of waste their dog leaves in any public place or on others' property. Owners must be able to show proof of compliance when an Animal Control Officer asks.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 28](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "when accompanied by a Dog on any Public Place, they have in their possession a suitable means of facilitating the removal of the Dog's excrement;" … "their Dog excrement deposited on any Public Place and property other than property owned by the Dog Owner, is promptly removed and disposed of." … "proof can be provided of compliance with section 28.a when requested by an Animal Control Officer"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, dog at large or off leash:** Dog at large (s. 20): $150 bylaw notice ($120 if paid within 14 days) or $150 ticket. Off leash in an on-leash area (s. 24): $100 ($80 early). Off leash in a dog park contrary to the rules (s. 26): $150 ($120 early). Repeat offences are charged double.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule G](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog At Large $150.00"
  - Source: [https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf, Schedule A, Appendix 4](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog At Large 20 $150.00 $120.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048, Schedule A, Schedule A (Parks and Public Places Bylaw)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf)
  - Official wording: "6(a)(iv) Dog Illegally Off Leash $50.00 $40.00 $60.00 YES"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049, 2025, Schedule B (Parks and Public Places Bylaw)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf)
  - Official wording: "6(a)(iv) Dog Illegally Off Leash $100.00 $90.00"
  - Source: [https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf, Bylaw 2908, Schedule E](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog At Large 20 $150.00" … "Off-Leash contrary to requirements 24 $100.00" … "Off-Leash in Dog Park contrary to requirements 26.c, 26.d $150.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (Regional District of North Okanagan). In City parks, also City of Vernon Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057, 2007.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 1](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021"
  - Source: [Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057, s. 1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/parks_and_public_places_bylaw_5057.pdf)
  - Official wording: "City of Vernon Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057, 2007"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Dog control in the City of Vernon is run by the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) under [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881](<https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf>). The City publishes a "Dog-friendly Parks, Beaches & Trails" map. The bylaw sets no leash length longer than 2 metres.

## Steps

1. Check the City's dog park map for off-leash parks, on-leash parks, beaches and trails.
2. Outside a signed dog park, keep your dog in a vehicle or on a leash no longer than 2 metres.
3. In a dog park, wear a collar or harness and a valid tag on the dog, carry a leash, and keep the dog in sight and under verbal control. No more than four dogs per owner.
4. Carry a way to remove your dog's waste in any public place and promptly pick up what it leaves in a public place or on others' property. You must show proof you comply if an Animal Control Officer asks.

## Good to know

- Dogs must be healthy with up-to-date vaccinations in a dog park, and owners must follow posted rules.
- The two bylaws differ on parks. The RDNO bylaw allows dogs on parkland signed as on-leash, but the City's [Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057](<https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/parks_and_public_places_bylaw_5057.pdf>) bars dogs from parks unless a City sign allows dogs. Look for the sign, or ask the City.
- Dogs are not allowed on public beaches or swimming areas unless signed on-leash or a dog park, or in any public place with a City sign banning dogs. Guide dogs are exempt.
- Aggressive or dangerous dogs may not enter sports fields, playgrounds, beaches, parkland, dog parks or school grounds. For these dogs in a public place the leash maximum is 1 metre.

## Official forms and pages

- [Parks, City of Vernon (Dog Park Locations Map)](https://www.vernon.ca/parks-recreation/parks-fields-beaches/parks)
- [Dog Control, Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/dogcontrol)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog leash rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/dog-leash-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Control, Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/dogcontrol) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057 (PDF), City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/parks_and_public_places_bylaw_5057.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Parks, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/parks-recreation/parks-fields-beaches/parks) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog-friendly Parks, Beaches & Trails map (PDF), Tourism Vernon, 2026](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/Dog%20Park%20Map%202026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048, Schedule A](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049, 2025](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.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 Regional District of North Okanagan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/dog-leash-rules/_