Do dogs have to be on a leash in Cincinnati parks?
Short answer
Yes. In Cincinnati Parks, dogs must be kept on a leash unless they are inside a designated off-leash dog park. Cincinnati Park Board rules allow leashes up to 20 feet long, but Cincinnati Parks recommends using a shorter leash for better control around other people, dogs, and wildlife. Dogs must also be leashed while entering and exiting designated dog parks.
Expanded answer
Cincinnati's leash rule applies throughout Cincinnati Park Board property—not just on walking trails. Under Park Board Rule 9, a dog on park property must be held on a leash no longer than 20 feet, with an exception for designated dog parks covered by Rule 41.
Inside a designated dog park, a harmless dog may be off leash. But dogs must remain leashed while entering and exiting the enclosed dog park, and handlers must keep their dogs under control and within sight while they are off leash.
Cincinnati Parks also recommends using a shorter leash when you're walking through a park. A shorter leash makes it easier to maintain control when passing other visitors and animals and helps prevent dogs from disturbing wildlife. On narrow trails, the Parks Department recommends moving aside and keeping your dog beside you until others have safely passed.
Sources: Cincinnati Park Board Rules, https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/park-board-rules/. Cincinnati Parks, Dog Etiquette and Dog Park Etiquette in Cincinnati Parks, published September 24, 2026, https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/news/dog-etiquette-and-dog-park-etiquette-in-cincinnati-parks/.