Cleaning up after your dog
The Activities Local Law 2024 requires owners to collect and dispose of their dog’s waste responsibly and to always carry an appropriate container such as a plastic bag or pooper scooper.
Dog waste carries many diseases, so please pick up after your dog and keep our streets, parks and waterways clean.
Leash requirements
All of the City of Melbourne is, by default, an on-leash area.
A dog may be exercised off a chain, cord or leash in a Designated Reserve (see below) and during the permitted off-leash hours (if applicable) provided the owner:
- carries a chain, cord or leash not exceeding 3 metres in length, sufficient to bring the dog under effective control if the dog behaves in a manner which threatens any person or animal
- remains in effective voice or hand control of the dog and within constant sight of the dog so as to be able to promptly place the dog on a chain, cord or leash not exceeding 3 metres in length if that becomes necessary
- does not allow the dog to worry, threaten or attack any person or animal. Dogs must be put on a leash when within 5 metres of a shared path (for use by both pedestrians and bike riders).
The owner must put their dog on a leash if the dog is within 20 metres of:
- a children’s play equipment area or outdoor fitness equipment area
- a permanent barbecue or picnic area
- a sports field or recreation facility during organised sporting activity (including training)
- the principal location of an organised public event or meeting
- a river, creek or waterbody.
Dog off-leash and dog prohibited areas
There are many designated off-leash areas to exercise dogs in the City of Melbourne. Some parks have designated off-leash areas for dogs available at all times, while others parks provide for off-leash access and use for specific times of the day.
There are also designated areas within Royal Park, JJ Holland Park and Fawkner Park where dogs are prohibited at all times.
When a dog is being exercised off-leash, you must carry a chain, cord or leash to be able to bring a dog under control. Dogs must be under effective voice or hand control, which means you are able to promptly place the dog on a chain, cord or leash not exceeding 3 metres in length if that becomes necessary.
Dogs must not be allowed to worry or threaten a person or animal. Dogs must be within constant sight when in off-leash areas.
Click on park names below to view a map and the areas with designations.
| Dogs off-leash area | Address | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Manningham Reserve | 87 Manningham St, Parkville VIC 3052 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Point Park | River Esplanade, Docklands VIC 3008 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Wellington Park | Wellington Pde South, East Melbourne | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Clayton Reserve | 201-241 Macaulay Rd, North Melbourne VIC 3051 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Princes Park - x2 areas | 200-590 Royal Parade, Carlton North VIC 3054 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| North Melbourne Recreational Reserve | 204-206 Arden Street, North Melbourne, VIC 3051 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Riverside Park | 93-95 The Crescent, Kensington VIC 3031 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Royal Park x3 areas | Flemington Road, Parkville VIC 3052 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Ron Barassi Senior Park | 500 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Stawell Street Park | Stawell Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Eades Park | 1 Chetwynd St, West Melbourne VIC 3003 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Gosch's Paddock | Olympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC 3004 | Not Managed by City of Melbourne (Private) |
| JJ Holland Park x2 areas | Childers Street, Kensington VIC 3031 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Kingsway & Moray Street Reserve | 3 Moray Street, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Fawkner Park | 24-88 Commercial Road, South Yarra VIC 3141 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
| Yarra Park | Marathon Way, East Melbourne VIC 3002 | Not Managed by City of Melbourne (Private) |
| Canning and Neill St Reserve | 2 Neill Street, Carlton VIC 3053 | Managed by City of Melbourne |
Parks
Off-leash area times:
- 1 November to 31 March: 6pm to 8am
- 1 April to 31 October: 5pm to 9am
Off-leash area times:
- 1 November to 31 March: 6pm to 8am
- 1 April to 31 October: 5pm to 9am
Off-leash area:
- 1 November to 31 March: 6pm to 8am
- 1 April to 31 October: 5pm to 9am
Off-leash area:
- 1 November to 31 March: 6pm to 8am
- 1 April to 31 October: 5pm to 9am
Consider other people and their dogs
Off-leash areas are for all to enjoy, not just dog owners. Not everyone likes dogs and some people are fearful.
When your dog is off-leash, do not let it jump up on people or rush up to other dogs to play as other dogs may react with fear. Always ask other dog owners if their dog is sociable and if it’s okay to allow your dog to approach. If your dog does not return to you when you call it or you have difficulty controlling your dog's behaviour around other dogs, you should never let your dog off its leash.
Consider taking your dog to training so it can enjoy being off-leash.
Report an issue
You can report to us incidents of dogs off-leash in on-leash areas, and issues with dog waste in public spaces.
If there is any danger to the public or public space, please call us immediately on 03 9658 9658.
