Council keeps leash law in place; asks staff to analyze a fenced dog park and funding options

Staff presented a review of the city’s leash law and community feedback on dog amenities during the Feb. 18, 2025 South Jordan City Council study meeting, and council members asked staff to analyze fenced-dog-park options, operations costs and funding mechanisms.

Mr. Lewis (parks staff) summarized results from the parks and open-space plan draft and public outreach: “One in five people have indicated that they’ve had an experience with conflicts with dogs when using our parks and trails,” Lewis said, and he told council staff found roughly 21% reporting a negative experience in those outreach materials. Lewis also said 65% of survey respondents indicated a desire for a dedicated dog park.

Chief Carr and animal-control staff described how the city enforces the existing leash ordinance (codified as 06-12.040, last amended in 2021) and noted enforcement is driven by officer discretion and complaint volume. City staff reported the city prosecuted about 16 restraint/violation cases last year. In discussion, staff and councilors noted problems that can arise in both fenced and unfenced dog areas, such as disease, aggressive encounters and wildlife conflicts described by peer cities.

Council members expressed preference for a fenced, controlled dog park rather than an unfenced off-leash area. Several members said a fee or licensing requirement for users — including a possible nonresident fee or annual pass tied to dog licensing — could offset operations and maintenance costs. Council members also asked staff to consider design requirements that reduce conflicts (separate small/dog sections, double-gated entries, water and rest areas) and measures to encourage licensing and proof of rabies vaccination at entry.

City Attorney Luce answered a question about liability, saying removing the leash law would reduce a tool that officers use; with a designated off-leash area “posted well,” he said, he did not see a new liability exposure for general off-leash policy but cautioned the city would have more maintenance and operational responsibilities for a city-owned fenced dog park. “If you do that and you post it well, I don’t think there’s going to be a lot more liability,” Luce said.

Council directed staff to prepare a budget-quality analysis as part of the strategic planning process that would estimate capital costs, operations and maintenance, potential user fees and licensing approaches, and suitable locations. The current leash ordinance will remain in force while staff prepares the analysis.