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La Habra council approves first reading of ordinance to add dog parks chapter to municipal code
Summary
The La Habra City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to add a new chapter governing city dog parks and set a second-reading date for mid-September. The ordinance would codify rules for a forthcoming dog park at Vince Scully Centennial Park and authorize staff to post rules and remove violators.
The La Habra City Council on Aug. 18 approved the first reading of an ordinance to add a new Chapter 12.3, "Dog Parks," to Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places) of the La Habra Municipal Code.
The measure, introduced by city staff as an item to govern operations at a soon-to-open dog park at Vince Scully Centennial Park, would set definitions, behavioral rules, age and weight limits, and authority for city directors to change rules in emergencies. "Staff is requesting the city council approve the first reading of an update to the La Habra municipal code ... to add a new chapter 12.3 dog parks for rules and regulations to operate a new dog park," a staff member said during the presentation.
The ordinance would define "dog parks" as a city-owned recreational facility for registered dogs to recreate off leash and sets operational rules including: use at an individual's own risk; a small-dog area for dogs under 25 pounds and a large-dog area for dogs 25 pounds and over; users under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; a maximum of three dogs per person; and a requirement that each dog owner have a leash for each dog. The draft also prohibits professional dog training unless conducted in partnership with the Community Services Department.
Council members asked about enforcement and consequences for repeat violators. "Is there any consequences that would happen in the event that you have a dog owner that consistently violates ... the rules and regulations?" Councilmember Gomez asked. A staff member replied that signage will include a nonemergency hotline and the city will coordinate with Code Enforcement and the Police Department; the staff member confirmed that "city personnel can remove an individual from the park." The staff member also said signage costs would be minimal and covered by the Public Works general fund.
Councilmember remarks emphasized quality-of-life and public-safety benefits of a designated dog park. The council approved the first reading by motion; the council set the second reading for the council's second September meeting, identified on the record as Sept. 15, 2025.
The ordinance text included a provision authorizing the director of Community Services or the director of Public Works to change park rules for emergencies such as dog-bite incidents, maintenance problems, or public-health orders. Staff indicated that approved rules would be posted and that the city has modeled many provisions on dog-park rules used by nearby cities.
The council voted to approve the first reading and the motion passed on the record.
