Complete guide to Santa Monica's animal control regulations, leash ordinances, pet licensing requirements, and local shelter data. Updated with the latest 2025 Animal Code amendments.
Santa Monica has its own municipal animal code with specific leash requirements, updated most recently in May 2025 [^37^]. All dogs must be restrained by a chain or leash of six feet or less in fixed length when on public property [^34^] [^38^].
Dogs on public property must be restrained by a chain or leash six feet or less in fixed length, held by a competent person. Retractable leashes must be locked at 6 feet or less [^34^] [^38^].
As of May 2025, dogs and cats are generally prohibited from being on any beach sand surface—including owners holding dogs on blankets or towels. Previously allowed leashed access is now restricted [^37^] [^49^].
Animals may not run at large on private property without the owner's or occupant's permission. Violations are punishable by a fine of not less than $50 per violation, with each day counting as a separate offense [^34^].
2025 Update: The City Council amended the Animal Code on May 13, 2025, adding household pet limits and expanding beach/cemetery prohibitions [^37^].
The Santa Monica Animal Shelter has seen significant changes in intake, licensing compliance, and euthanasia rates over recent years—prompting major code revisions in 2025.
City-Operated Facility
1640 Ninth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 458-8594
Animal Control / Shelter
shelter@santamonica.gov
Email for licensing proof
smgov.net/dogs
Online licensing & permits
Licensing Decline: Dog licenses dropped from nearly 5,000 annually pre-2020 to just 2,644 in 2024—a nearly 50% decrease since the pandemic [^37^].
Year-End Statistics
776 Animals Impounded
Total intake for 2024 [^37^]
39% Increase in Intake
Rise in dog and cat intake from 2021 to 2024 [^37^]
52% Jump in Cat Intake
Cat-specific increase from 2021 to 2024 [^37^]
20 Cats Euthanized (2024)
Up from 11 cats in 2019 [^37^]
2025 Response: The City Council approved new pet limits and cat licensing to reduce shelter overcrowding and improve return-to-owner rates [^37^].
Santa Monica offers four enclosed off-leash dog parks where dogs can run freely. Dogs must be leashed when traveling to and from these areas, with a leash six feet or less in fixed length [^43^].
633 Kensington Road | 1.25 acres | Separate areas for large and small dogs | Max capacity: 45 dogs. Open Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–8:30 PM; weekends 8:30 AM–8:30 PM. Maintenance closure: Tue & Thu 9:30–11:30 AM [^43^].
3201 Airport Avenue | Separate areas for large and small dogs | Max capacity: 45 dogs. Non-resident annual permits available for $20.01. Open Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–8:30 PM; weekends 8:30 AM–8:30 PM. Maintenance closure: Mon & Wed 9:30–11:30 AM [^43^].
Pacific & Main | "Traditional" dog park | Max capacity: 20 dogs. Open Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–8:30 PM; weekends 8:30 AM–8:30 PM. Maintenance closure: Wed 9:30–11:30 AM [^43^].
1401 Olympic Boulevard | North of tennis courts on west side | Max capacity: 10 dogs. Open daily 6 AM–8:30 PM. Maintenance closure: Thu 9:30–11:30 AM [^43^].
Know before you go—key regulations for all Santa Monica off-leash areas.
Santa Monica's demographics, coastal geography, and urban density shape its unique animal control challenges—from beach access conflicts to high pet ownership in apartments.
2020 Census population. Dense coastal city in western Los Angeles County with high urban pet ownership.
Of coastline where dogs are now prohibited on sand as of May 2025, following consistent complaints about off-leash dogs [^37^] [^49^].
Drop in dog licenses since 2020. From nearly 5,000 annually to 2,644 in 2024. Only 1,667 licensed so far in 2025 [^37^].
Increase in dog and cat intake from 2021 to 2024, with cat intake alone jumping 52% [^37^].
Years. An affluent, educated community with high rates of pet ownership in multi-unit dwellings.
Maximum per household over 4 months of age. Exemptions for service animals and existing licensed pets [^37^].
4 dogs / 5 cats max per dwelling
Now voluntary to aid return-to-owner
No dogs/cats on any beach sand
No dogs in public cemeteries
Source: Santa Monica City Council Ordinance, adopted May 13, 2025 [^37^]
Santa Monica's 2025 Animal Code amendments represent the city's most significant animal regulation overhaul in years, driven by a 39% surge in shelter intake and a 50% collapse in dog licensing compliance since the pandemic [^37^]. The new 4-dog/5-cat household limits aim to reduce shelter overcrowding, while voluntary cat licensing is designed to cut impounds by enabling first-offense returns for tagged strays. The beach and cemetery bans address years of complaints about off-leash dogs and health hazards from pet waste in public spaces [^37^] [^49^]. For the 92,828 residents—many in dense, pet-friendly apartments—these rules mean stricter accountability: a $50 minimum fine for animals at large, mandatory 6-foot leashes on all public property, and no more beach outings with pets. With only 2,644 dogs licensed in 2024 (down from nearly 5,000 pre-2020), the city is clearly pushing for renewed compliance to fund animal control operations and improve return-to-owner rates [^37^].
Contact the Santa Monica Animal Shelter for licensing, lost pets, adoptions, and animal control. Report leash law violations to Animal Control.
Santa Monica Animal Control: (310) 458-8594 | shelter@santamonica.gov
