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Rules for dogs in public places

Our tip

To find dog rules for your local park, beach or exercise area, visit Where you can walk your dog.

Overall access rules for dogs

Unless otherwise stated in your local area rules:

  • dogs must be on-leash at all times, in all council-controlled public places with unrestricted access
  • dogs are prohibited from all other public places such as:
    • fenced sports stadiums
    • libraries
    • cafes
    • shopping malls
    • school grounds
    • non-council cemeteries
    • urupā.

Exceptions to rules

  • Signs state that dogs are allowed, and the owner follows our conditions for entry.
  • You have permission from:
    • us, for places under our control
    • the person in charge, for places not under our control.

All council-controlled camping grounds and holiday parks

Dogs are prohibited at all times, except if:

  • you have a permission from us (e.g. park manager with delegated authority)
  • signs state that dogs are allowed, and you follow our conditions for entry.

All council-controlled cemeteries

Dogs are prohibited at all times, except if:

  • your local areas and times state otherwise
  • you have a permission from us (e.g. park manager with delegated authority)
  • signs state that dogs are allowed, and you follow our conditions for entry.

All council-controlled playground surfaces and equipment

Dogs are prohibited at all times from all playground surfaces and equipment.

Dogs must be on-leash when they are close to a playground and the playground is in use.

All roads, private ways, and council-controlled car parks and boating areas

Dogs must be on-leash at all times in areas that are:

  • public roads (including any street, highway, access way, service lane, and any footpath, cycle track, bus stop and berm within the boundaries of the road).
  • private ways
  • council-controlled
  • council-controlled boating areas (including any wharf, jetty, boat ramp or boat marshalling area).

This rule does not apply to any unformed road, or any walkway, track or road within or surrounded by a park.

All council-controlled sports surfaces

Dogs are prohibited, at all times, from all council-controlled sports surfaces unless otherwise stated in your local areas and times.

Dogs must be on-leash when close to a sport surface in use.

Sports surfaces include any area developed or marked out for sports events or training. For example, this includes areas used for:

  • soccer
  • rugby or league
  • artificial turf
  • sports field or park
  • velodrome.

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