Toronto's Dog Bylaws — What Every Owner Should Know

1. Licensing — Yes, It's Required

Yes, your dog needs a licence. Yes, you need to renew it every year. Yes, the tag has to actually be on the dog (not sitting in a drawer somewhere). Register at toronto.docupet.com. Service animals are exempt.

2. Leash Laws

2 metres max. That's the leash length anywhere off your property. In parks it's 2.4 metres (they gave you an extra 40 cm, how generous). The only exception is posted off-leash areas. Also: max 3 dogs at a time unless you're a licensed commercial dog walker. And if your dog is in heat, she's on-leash everywhere — no off-leash areas.

3. Poop & Scoop

You must immediately pick up after your dog on any property that isn't yours. On your own property, you have 24 hours. In parks, you must dispose of it in a litter receptacle or take it with you. Dog waste goes in the Green Bin.

4. Where Dogs Can't Go

Dogs are not allowed in playgrounds, wading pools, sports fields, gardens, or other posted restricted areas in parks. Service animals are the exception. Dogs are banned from supervised swimming beaches from April through October. They're only allowed on beaches between November 1 and March 31. Kew-Balmy Beach and Woodbine Beach allow off-leash dogs below the snow fence line during that winter window.

5. Off-Leash Area Rules

Toronto has over 80 designated off-leash areas. Dogs may run free only in these posted areas. Key rules: • Dogs with muzzle orders cannot enter off-leash areas • Small dog sections: max 20 lbs / 12 inches at the shoulder • You must fill in any holes your dog digs • Your dog must be in sight at all times • Dogs cannot be left unattended • Some areas prohibit commercial dog walkers — check the signs

6. How Many Dogs Can You Have?

Three. That's the max in Toronto. If you already had more when the bylaw passed, you're grandfathered — but you can't add more. Service animals don't count, and if you're fostering for a registered rescue, you're exempt. Everyone else: three.

7. Ontario's Pit Bull Ban

Ontario banned pit bulls province-wide in 2005 under the Dog Owners' Liability Act. This covers Pit Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and any dog with a substantially similar appearance. It is illegal to own, breed, transfer, or import a pit bull in Ontario. Dogs that were legally owned before the ban were grandfathered but must be spayed/neutered, leashed, and muzzled in public at all times.

8. Dangerous Dog Orders

If your dog bites, attacks, or shows menacing behaviour, the city can issue a dangerous dog order. A first non-severe incident gets a written warning. A severe incident or second incident triggers a formal order — for the life of the dog: • Must be muzzled at all times off your property • Cannot enter off-leash areas • Must wear a dangerous dog tag • Warning sign required on your property • Must be microchipped • Must complete training within 90 days You can appeal to the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal within 30 days. The city also maintains a public registry of all dangerous dog orders, searchable by postal code.

9. Tethering & Leaving Dogs Outside

If you tie up your dog outside, the tether must be at least 3 metres long and cannot use choke collars, choke chains, or pronged collars. You cannot leave a dog tethered unsupervised for more than 1 hour. Dogs cannot be leashed to poles or bike racks on city property. If your dog is kept outside for more than 30 continuous minutes, you must provide a weather-proofed, insulated enclosure. During extreme weather warnings (cold or heat), dogs cannot remain outdoors without adequate shelter.

10. Lost & Found Dogs

Found a stray? Call 311 with the location and any tag info. You can also bring them to a vet for a microchip scan. Toronto Animal Services has three shelters: • West: 146 The East Mall • North: 1300 Sheppard Ave W • East: 821 Progress Ave Impounded dogs are held for at least 5 days. After that, they become city property. There are pickup and daily holding fees — call 311 or Animal Services at 416-338-PAWS for current rates. If you get your dog back, you'll need to microchip them within 24 hours.

11. Renting With a Dog

Quick Reference — Fines

All of this comes from Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Chapter 608, Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act, and the Residential Tenancies Act. Rules change — check toronto.ca/pets for updates. And download Onslow's so you can actually find the off-leash parks where you won't get fined.