La Habra Municipal Code Ch. 12.30 Dog Parks

"Aggressive behavior"

shall include, but is not limited to, the following behaviors: snapping, snarling, lunging, ferocious growling and/or barking and biting.

"Dog parks"

shall mean a city-owned area designated by the city council as a recreational area for registered dogs to recreate without a leash.

"Owners"

shall mean an adult age of eighteen or older that is responsible for the wellbeing and behavior of a dog within the areas of a dog park.

(Ord. CC 2025-09, 9/15/2025)

A. The city council may designate certain areas of city parks as a dog park. Dog parks shall be designated by city council resolution and shall be posted with all signs currently required by the California Health and Safety Code.

B. All dog parks shall have signs posted stating that all persons using the dog park shall follow all rules governing dog parks.

C. The hours of operation of all dog parks shall be determined at the discretion of the director of community services or their designee.

(Ord. CC 2025-09, 9/15/2025)

A. All dog parks are used at an individual's own risk. The city of La Habra is not responsible for any incidents or injuries that may occur. Owners assume any and all risk related to dog park use.

B. All dogs in a dog park must have valid registration, tags, and vaccinations.

C. All dogs in a dog park must be controlled and handled by an owner.

D. Spike, pinch, and shock collars are prohibited.

E. Aggressive dogs are not allowed in a dog park. Dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior must be immediately removed by their owner.

F. Female dogs in heat, pregnant, or lactating are prohibited from entering dog parks.

G. Leashes must be on all dogs in all areas of the park except within the designated confines of a dog park. Leashes must be no longer than six feet in length and must be carried by an owner at all times.

H. Small dog park areas are exclusively for dogs weighing twenty-five pounds or less, and large dog park areas are exclusively for dogs weighing greater than twenty-five pounds.

I. All persons within a dog park under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

J. Dogs less than four months old are not allowed in dog parks.

K. Each adult within a dog park is allowed a maximum of three dogs and must provide a leash for each dog under his/her control or care.

L. Digging within a dog park is prohibited. All holes created by a dog must be filled in by the owner.

M. Other than water, food and drinks are not permitted within a dog park.

N. All owners are responsible for picking up waste deposited by their dog(s) within a dog park and surrounding areas. Waste must be immediately removed and disposed of properly in bags.

O. Professional dog trainers are not permitted to conduct commercial classes or paid individual instruction for compensation within a dog park unless approved by the community services department.

P. The city council authorizes the director of community services and the director of public works to change the rules and regulations of the dog park at any time for the daily administration of the park.

Q. Abandonment of dogs is prohibited.

R. Any dog with a known communicable disease is not permitted to enter a dog park.

S. Owners must stay within the park and supervise their dogs at all times and may not leave their dogs unattended at any time.

T. Excessive barking is not allowed within a dog park.

U. No animals other than dogs are permitted within a dog park.

V. Any owner who violates the provisions of this chapter, or who permits any dog to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter, may be ordered by city personnel to remove the dog from the park. Any owner who fails to immediately remove a dog following an order to do so shall be in violation of this chapter.

W. Any city employee may request anyone who violates a posted rule to leave a dog park. It is unlawful for any person to fail to leave a dog park for violating any posted rule after being requested to do so by a city employee.

(Ord. CC 2025-09, 9/15/2025)