Illinois dog leash laws.

◦ Summary

Illinois has no statewide dog leash law. Leashing rules are set by individual cities and counties, and most municipalities require dogs to be leashed in public except inside designated off-leash dog parks.

◦ Notes & gotchas

Day-to-day leashing requirements live in city or county ordinances. Before relying on this page, look up the specific code for your municipality — it's the binding rule, not state law. Most US cities require dogs to be leashed in public unless inside a designated off-leash area. Chicago Municipal Code § 7-12-030 requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in public. Other Illinois cities have similar ordinances. State law (510 ILCS 5/) addresses dangerous-dog classifications but does not impose a general leash.