City Council Sets Fine At $250 For Dogs Off-Leash On The Beach

Press release from the City of Hermosa Beach:

Nov. 3, 2021

In response to growing community concerns about violations of ordinances prohibiting dogs on the beach and being off-leash, the Hermosa Beach City Council voted Tuesday night to set the fine for violations of these ordinances at $250 per offense.

City ordinances prohibit dogs on the beach, unless they are service animals, and at Fort Lots-of-Fun Park and Sea View Parkette. The current fines for violating these ordinances are $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense in a 12-month period and $500 for the third offense in a 12-month period. City ordinances also require that dogs be on a leash in public spaces, including the Strand and Greenbelt. Currently, fines for violating the City’s leash laws are $25 per offense and additional fees often bring the total to $200.

The new fine of $250 for each violation of the City’s leash laws and the prohibitions on dogs at the beach and in certain City parks is scheduled to go into effect Dec. 9, after a second City Council vote.

“To maximize and encourage the safe use of our beach and parks, the City long ago allowed dogs in our larger parks but required them to be on leashes of 6 feet or less. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has observed and received increased complaints of dogs on the beach, at small parks, and off leash. While the new ordinance makes these violations an infraction, which eliminates a potential trip to court, it carries larger fines to encourage dog owners to help us balance the many uses of our beach and parks,” said Hermosa Beach Mayor Justin Massey.

For more information about ordinances regarding pets, please see the City’s animal control page on its website.

This press release was produced by the City of Hermosa Beach. The views expressed here are the author's own.