Dogs in Parks FAQ
Questions
- What restrictions are there for beaches in Saanich's Animals Bylaw?
- Can you clarify which parks are: leash optional, and leash optional only from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.?
- Can you clarify which parks are on leash or where no dogs are allowed?
- I understand the beach area below the high tide mark is federal government land, not municipal property. How does this affect Saanich Parks beach restrictions?
- Can you let us know if the 10-metre leashing requirement is still in place around playgrounds, or is the dog prohibition on the actual playground space replacing that?
- What are the seasonal restrictions at baseball diamonds?
- What are the fines relating to dogs in Saanich Parks?
- What does it mean when you say dogs must be ‘under control’?
- With retractable leashes or leashes longer than 2.4M (8’) not being allowed in Saanich, does that mean I cannot use them in leash-optional parks?
- How does Saanich enforce the Animal Bylaws?
- Are dog rules posted in Saanich Parks?
- What are the dog regulations for Cedar Hill, Rithet’s Bog, Swan Lake/Christmas Hill and Quick’s Bottom?
- If a park is not listed on either Schedule C or D of the amended Animals Bylaw (Autumnwood Park for example), are dogs supposed to be leashed at all times in the park?
- What are the rules at Natural Areas Parks?
- Why is it important to have regulations in natural areas?
Answers
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What restrictions are there for beaches in Saanich's Animals Bylaw?
All beaches and 15 beach access points within the Victoria Migratory Bird Sanctuary (see map) are on-leash.
Beaches outside of the Victoria Migratory Bird Sanctuary remain leash-optional except for the following seasonal restrictions:
- Cordova Bay Beach between Walema Avenue right-of-way to Cordova Bay Park:
- Dogs are allowed before 9:00 am, during the months of May through August.
- At all other times of day from May through August, dogs are prohibited.
- Whitehead Park (entire park, including the beach):
- Dogs are prohibited at all times during the months of May through August.
- PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park) beach and park area near the beach:
- Dogs are prohibited at all times during the months of May through August.
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Can you clarify which parks are: leash optional, and leash optional only from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.?
See the map below for more information on leash optional parks. This information also appears in the schedules attached to the Animals Bylaw [PDF - 8 MB].
Leash Optional Parks Map
Click here to view a pdf version of the map. [PDF - 2 MB]
Click on the image to expand
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Can you clarify which parks are on leash or where no dogs are allowed?
See the map below for more information about on-leash and no dogs allowed parks. This information also appears in the schedules attached to the Animals Bylaw [PDF - 8 MB].
On-Leash/No Dogs Allowed Parks Map
Click here to view a pdf version of the map [PDF - 1 MB]
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I understand the beach area below the high tide mark is federal government land, not municipal property. How does this affect Saanich Parks beach restrictions?
All levels of government play a role in managing coastal shores. Local governments hold the authority to plan and regulate land use within their respective boundaries, which may extend over foreshore and nearshore areas. The amended bylaw clarifies this issue.
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Can you let us know if the 10-metre leashing requirement is still in place around playgrounds, or is the dog prohibition on the actual playground space replacing that?
Dogs continue to be required to be on leash within 10 metres of a playground and are prohibited from entering the playground surface area surrounding the play equipment.
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What are the seasonal restrictions at baseball diamonds?
Dogs are not permitted in fenced baseball diamonds from March 1 to October 31.
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What are the fines relating to dogs in Saanich Parks?
The Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No 9029 outlines fines in Saanich.
Here is summary of fines pertaining to just dogs in Saanich Parks:
Fines Pertaining to dogs in Saanich Parks
Offence
Fine if paid within 30 Days
Fine if paid after 30 Days
Farm Animal in Park
$100
$150
Dog running at large
$100
$150
Dangerous or aggressive dog in public place
$500
$750
Dangerous or aggressive dog in public place –
Person or farm animal killed or injured
$1000
$1000
Aggressive dog running at large
$200
$250
Unleashed dog in prohibited area
$100
$150
Domesticated Animal not under control
$100
$150
Failing to carry a leash and have a collar
$100
$150
Dog in prohibited area
$100
$150
Dog harming bird or animal or habitat of bird or
animal
$100
$150
Failure to remove canine faeces
$100
$150
No dog licence
$150
$200
Federal fines pertaining to dogs in Migratory Bird Sanctuaries:
Violations of the Canada Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, differ based on specific offences which can range from $100 to $1,000. In Saanich, dogs must be leashed within the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, which spans the shores and parks of Cadboro Bay, Gorge Waterway, and Portage Inlet. For more information please visit: Contraventions Regulations
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What does it mean when you say dogs must be ‘under control’?
In Saanich the Animals Bylaw states that to be under control, dogs must be in direct and continuous charge and within a clear line of sight of a person who has control over the dog, and immediate return of the dog to the person upon recall or signal.
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With retractable leashes or leashes longer than 2.4M (8’) not being allowed in Saanich, does that mean I cannot use them in leash-optional parks?
- ‘Leash’ means a non-extendable fixed leash of not more than 2.4m (8’) in length.
- In leash-optional parks, dogs are not required to be on leash, but people are welcome to use leashes. If dogs are off leash, they must remain under control.
- In all leash-optional areas, there is no requirement to be on “leash,” therefore, these areas would permit training leashes and retractable leashes.
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How does Saanich enforce the Animal Bylaws?
Saanich currently contracts our animal enforcement to CRD Animal Care Services. Please report incidents directly to the CRD.
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Are dog rules posted in Saanich Parks?
Visitors to Saanich Parks will notice that signage is posted in parks outlining regulations for dogs. The signage supports CRD Animal Control officers in educating residents, however those not complying with the rules risk being ticketed.
Please be courteous and respectful if someone is not familiar with the existing rules and regulations.
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What are the dog regulations for Cedar Hill, Rithet’s Bog, Swan Lake/Christmas Hill and Quick’s Bottom?
- Rithet’s Bog - no dogs allowed in the park except on-leash on the perimeter trail.
- Quick’s Bottom – no-dogs allowed in the park
- Cedar Hill Park – dogs must be on-leash in all areas of the park (trails and open areas). No dogs are allowed on the active golf course at anytime.
- Swan Lake/Christmas Hill, managed by the Swan Lake Nature Santuary -- no dogs allowed in the sanctuary.
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If a park is not listed on either Schedule C or D of the amended Animals Bylaw (Autumnwood Park for example), are dogs supposed to be leashed at all times in the park?
There are 43 parks on Schedule C and 56 on Schedule D which adds up to 99 parks, but with over 170 parks in Saanich this leaves many parks unaccounted for. Animals Bylaw.
The answer is yes – if it is not on those lists, the default is dogs must be on a leash in those parks and in other public areas in Saanich.
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What are the rules at Natural Areas Parks?
Natural area parks are designated as on-leash areas. This does not mean dogs are prohibited; visitors are welcome to enjoy these parks with their dogs, provided they remain leashed.
Two of our larger natural area parks—PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park) and Cuthbert Holmes Park—include designated leash-optional areas.
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Why is it important to have regulations in natural areas?
Many Saanich parks are valued for their natural environments, including mature trees, Garry oak meadows, rocky outcrops, wildflowers, streams and shoreline areas.
Saanich invests significant effort in protecting and restoring these sensitive ecosystems for the benefit of wildlife, the environment and park visitors. However, repeated off-trail use by people and dogs can gradually damage vegetation, compact soil and disturb habitat.
Keeping dogs on leash in sensitive natural areas—and, where needed, installing fencing to prevent further trampling—helps protect these places for everyone to enjoy.