Raleigh Leash Law: Dog Rules Every Owner Should Know
As a dog walking company, we walk dogs around Raleigh every day, and we get a lot of questions. Can my dog be off leash at the park? How long can I tie my dog out? Do I need a city tag?
This guide sums up the main rules in plain language, with links to the official sources so you can read them yourself. Pages we checked are dated Oct 28, 2026.
Not legal advice. This article is general information from a dog-walking company, not legal advice. Laws change, and the official code is what counts. For questions about your situation, contact Raleigh Animal Control at 919-831-6311 or a licensed attorney.
Does Raleigh have a leash law?
Yes. The Raleigh Police Department's Animal Control page says it's against the law for domesticated animals such as dogs and cats to run unrestrained within the city limits.
The City's own off-leash dog park rules say dogs outside the dog park fence must be and remain on a leash at all times, and they cite City Code 12-3011.
What it means day to day:
- On sidewalks, streets, parks and greenways, your dog should be on a leash.
- The place for off-leash play is a designated, fenced off-leash dog park, or your own fenced yard.
- A friendly dog or great recall isn't listed as an exception on the City's page.
Looking for a place to go? See our guide to Raleigh dog parks and our ideas for dog activities in Raleigh.
What's the leash length on Raleigh greenways?
The City's greenway rules say:
- Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
- Owners must remove pet waste.
- All users, pets included, should keep to the right side of the trail except when passing.
- Trail hours are dawn to dusk.
- Swimming in City lakes is prohibited.
A retractable leash let out past 6 feet doesn't meet the rule. For trail ideas, see our guide to dog-friendly greenways.
What are the penalties?
For tethering, the City says a violation is a misdemeanor and is also subject to a civil penalty of $100 per day for each day of violation. See the next section.
For off-leash dogs, we could not find a dollar amount on the City's own pages, so we don't quote one. News coverage in April 2025 described stepped-up Animal Control patrols on greenways and in parks from May 12 to Sept. 1, 2025. For the current penalty for your situation, ask Raleigh Animal Control at 919-831-6311.
Raleigh's dog tethering ordinance
Raleigh limits tying a dog out unattended. According to the City:
- 3 hours maximum. A dog may not be tethered for more than three hours total in any 24-hour period.
- At least 10 feet. The tether must be at least 10 feet long and attached so it can't strangle, injure or tangle.
- Trolley systems. A cable trolley is allowed if the cable is at least 10 feet long and the dog can move at least 10 feet away from it at a right angle.
- Collar or harness. Use a buckle-type collar or a body harness.
- Weight limit. The tether can weigh no more than 10% of the dog's body weight.
- Food and water. The dog must be able to reach food and water.
The ordinance doesn't count a dog on an attended leash as tethering. Breaking it is a misdemeanor and carries a civil penalty of $100 per day for each day of violation.
Our take: If your workday means your dog would be tied out or alone for long stretches, a midday walk is a kinder fix.
Do I have to pick up dog poop in Raleigh?
Yes. The City's dog park rules cite City Code Sec. 12-3011[b], which makes it unlawful for the person in charge of a dog to fail to remove feces the dog leaves on publicly owned property. The City's greenway rules say owners must remove pet waste.
Bring more bags than you think you'll need, and put them in a trash can, not on the side of the trail.
Rabies shots and tags
North Carolina law requires:
- Rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets over four months old (G.S. 130A-185).
- Rabies tags at all times. Dogs must wear their rabies vaccination tags at all times (G.S. 130A-190).
The City's dog park rules also cite City Code 12-3008, which makes it unlawful to fail to provide a current rabies vaccination for a dog 4 months or older, and says the metal tag shall be securely fastened to the dog's collar.
City tags: Raleigh hasn't required separate city dog and cat tags since July 1, 2012.
Dogs at night: the state rule
Under G.S. 67-12, no one may let a dog over six months old run at large at night unless the owner, a family member or someone with the owner's permission is with it. A willful violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor, and the owner can be liable for any damage.
What about Wake County outside city limits?
Wake County has its own animal ordinance, Chapter 91. Section 91.07 says:
- (A) It's unlawful for an owner to let an animal be at large.
- (C) Dogs in any public park must be on a leash at all times unless the park is a designated dog park.
- (E) An owner reclaiming a dog or cat that was running at large must have it microchipped by a licensed veterinarian within ten business days.
Section 91.07(B) allows a non-dangerous animal at large during shows, obedience school, tracking tests, field training or events run by a recognized organization, and hunting dogs under the owner's control while hunting. It does not exempt anyone from other sections of the chapter. Which rules apply to you depends on where you live, so check with your town or the County.
Off-leash dog park rules (City of Raleigh)
The City's posted rules for off-leash dog areas include:
- Dogs stay leashed until they're inside the park entrance, and handlers carry a leash and stay inside the fenced area within view and voice control of their dogs.
- Puppies must be at least 4 months old, and all dogs healthy and vaccinated.
- No female dogs in heat (the rules cite City Code 12-3012: they must be confined in a building or secure enclosure).
- No more than three dogs per handler.
- Remove choke, prong, pinch and spike collars inside.
- No food or dog chews in the off-leash area.
- Children under 12 need close adult supervision.
- Fill any holes your dog digs, and remove a dog that gets aggressive.
- Don't climb the fence. Staff can close the site for maintenance, weather or events.
Find locations on the City's dog park page or in our Raleigh dog parks guide.
How Hooman walks follow the rules
Our walks are always on leash and never mixed with other households' dogs. Prices start at $24 for 15 minutes, with $4 for each extra pet, starting Nov 2, 2026. See pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog be off leash anywhere in Raleigh?
In a designated, fenced off-leash dog park, yes. Everywhere else in public, plan on a leash. The City says it's against the law for dogs and cats to run unrestrained within the city limits.
Can my dog be off leash on a Raleigh greenway?
No. City greenway rules say pets must be on a leash no greater than 6 feet, and owners must remove pet waste.
Is there a leash length rule?
On City greenways, it's 6 feet or shorter. NC State Parks, including Umstead, set the same 6-foot limit.
Do I need a Raleigh dog license?
No. The City dropped dog and cat tags on July 1, 2012. State law still requires a rabies vaccination and a rabies tag.
Does my dog have to wear a rabies tag?
Yes. North Carolina law says dogs shall wear rabies vaccination tags at all times (G.S. 130A-190).
Who do I call about a loose or tethered dog?
Call Raleigh Animal Control at 919-831-6311, the number on the City's page. If someone is in danger, call 911.
Can I tie my dog outside a store?
The tethering ordinance limits tethering to three hours total in 24, with equipment rules, and doesn't count a dog on an attended leash. Even so, an unattended dog outside a store can get loose, be stolen or overheat. We'd skip it.
Want help keeping walks on track?
We'd love to meet your dog. Book your free meet & greet or call (984) 212-2524. Questions first? See our FAQs.
Sources
All pages accessed Oct 28, 2026 (the City pages show print dates of Aug 25 to Sept 4, 2026).
- Raleigh Police Department: Dog Tethering Ordinance and Leash Law (leash law, tethering rules, $100 per day civil penalty, tag program ended July 1, 2012; Animal Control 919-831-6311)
- City of Raleigh: Rules and Etiquette for Off-Leash Dog Areas (PDF) (cites City Code 12-3011, 12-3011[b], 12-3012 and 12-3008)
- City of Raleigh: Greenway Safety and Rules
- City of Raleigh: Find a Dog Park
- Raleigh Code of Ordinances, Part 12, Chapter 3 (Animals), Municode (official code; section numbers above are quoted from the City's dog park rules page)
- Wake County Code § 91.07, Animals at Large (American Legal)
- N.C.G.S. 67-12
- N.C.G.S. 130A-185
- N.C.G.S. 130A-190
- WRAL: Raleigh unleashed dogs patrols (April 29, 2025) (news report; patrol dates only)
- NC State Parks: Guidelines, park rules and regulations (pets on a leash of 6 feet or less)
Sources were checked in October 2026. Local rules, hours and events can change, so please check the linked sources for updates.