Boulder City Clamps Down On Loophole Leash Law After Three Decades Of Confusion

Boulder City has voted to overhaul its long-criticised leash law after more than 30 years of ambiguity, loopholes, and inconsistent enforcement.

The unanimous council decision, set to take effect in early December 2025, marks a significant shift in how the city regulates off-leash behaviour across parks, neighbourhoods, and desert spaces.

The reforms stop short of the sweeping changes some residents demanded but fundamentally reshape what is allowed — and where.

The Old Law That Left Police Powerless

For decades, Boulder City technically required dogs to be leashed in public, but a single sweeping exception rendered the rule impossible to enforce.

Owners were permitted to have their dogs off-leash anywhere in the city so long as the animal was under “direct supervision” and responding to “auditory and/or visual commands.”

On paper, it was meant to accommodate responsible owners. In reality, it became a shield for anyone who wanted their dog off-lead anywhere, anytime.

City officials admitted as far back as 2020 that the language created an enforcement nightmare.

Police and animal control officers struggled to prove whether a dog was truly under command or whether an owner had even attempted to give commands.

The result was a law that existed primarily in theory, leaving residents frustrated and undermining the purpose of the city’s two dedicated dog parks at Veterans Memorial Park.

Complaints mounted, but without a clearer statute, authorities’ hands were tied.

The Long Push For Reform

Calls for a tighter leash law grew louder over recent years as residents demanded rules that matched those used in most Nevada cities.

Many advocates pushed for the complete removal of the off-leash exception, insisting the old wording was too vague to ever be applied fairly.

But the issue repeatedly stalled at City Hall, often for reasons unrelated to the text of the law itself.

Council members argued over whether the city had enough dog parks and questioned the accessibility of Veterans Memorial Park for residents who lived across town.

In June 2025, a reform attempt collapsed when the council couldn’t agree on where dogs should be allowed off-leash if the sweeping exception were removed entirely. With neither side willing to fully concede, the law lingered in limbo — until now.

A New Law With A Narrowed Exception

Instead of eliminating the off-leash exception altogether, the council opted for a middle-ground approach.

The exception still exists, but it no longer applies citywide. Instead, it is strictly restricted to areas officially designated by council resolution as legitimate off-leash zones.

It is a subtle but decisive shift that transforms a vague allowance into a controlled framework.

For strict-enforcement supporters, the compromise falls short of the sweeping cleanup they hoped for.

For dog owners used to the freedom of off-leash walks across open spaces, the change brings new limits.

But for the first time in decades, the law becomes enforceable, with police and animal control no longer left guessing about what “under command” really means.

Where Dogs Can Now Be Off-Leash

Beginning in early December, Boulder City dog owners will be limited to the following approved locations for legal off-leash activity. All other areas will require dogs to be leashed, unless future resolutions expand the list.

Official Dog Parks

The two fenced dog parks at Veterans Memorial Park remain fully off-leash, offering amenities, clear boundaries, and established upkeep.

New Designated Outdoor Areas

Hemenway Channel will serve as a newly approved spot — an unfenced stretch of grassy land running roughly a quarter-mile north of Boulder City Parkway between Ville Drive and Lake Mountain Drive.

Several desert areas surrounding the city are also included, excluding Eldorado Valley and the undeveloped land immediately adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park.

North Escalante Park becomes a legal off-leash zone during park hours, providing another accessible option within the city limits.

Wilbur Square will be available during tightly defined time windows — 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. — but only if residents organise a volunteer group to manage cleanup and ensure compliance.

The park will undergo irrigation system maintenance January through March, temporarily suspending access during that period.

The council will also explore a resident-managed arrangement for Pratt Field, with a formal review scheduled six months after the new law takes effect.

An Unusual Twist

The vote itself unfolded in unexpectedly dramatic fashion due to a procedural shift that some officials later questioned.

At the start of the meeting, City Clerk Tami McKay requested that the agenda be rearranged, moving the discussion of future off-leash areas until after the vote on the leash law itself.

This reversal raised eyebrows and ultimately reshaped the evening.

By voting on the leash law before debating alternatives, the council avoided the same gridlock that had derailed previous attempts.

Had they discussed potential sites first, they risked reopening old arguments about location equity and park availability.

Instead, with the law up for vote and no alternatives yet outlined, the council moved unanimously to pass the measure, effectively obligating themselves to designate off-leash areas afterwards.

Several council members, including Mayor Pro Tem Sherri Jorgensen and Councilwoman Cokie Booth, voiced frustration about the reordering, saying they would have preferred a broader discussion before committing to the vote.

But once the motion was active, procedural rules left little room for delay — and the law passed without dissent.

What This Means For Dog Owners

For Boulder City’s dog-owning households, the change brings both clarity and constraint.

The sweeping, citywide freedom of the previous exception disappears, replaced by pinpointed areas where off-leash play is unquestionably permitted.

Residents living near Hemenway Channel, North Escalante Park, or Wilbur Square may welcome the new options, particularly those who previously faced long drives to Veterans Memorial Park.

For others, especially those accustomed to letting dogs roam in open desert pockets or quieter neighbourhood trails, the shift may feel like a loss of long-standing flexibility.

But the city argues the new rules bring fairness and consistency, ensuring every resident knows exactly where off-leash activity is allowed and where it is not.

Enforcement is expected to become significantly more straightforward. Officers will no longer need to interpret ambiguous claims about voice commands or obedience.

The map of legal areas will provide a clear guide, reducing conflict between owners and authorities and eliminating the loophole that made the old statute virtually toothless.

Looking Ahead As December Approaches

The December rollout will serve as an early proving ground for the new system.

City officials will closely monitor how smoothly the transition unfolds and whether complaints, conflicts, or violations rise or fall.

The planned reevaluation of Pratt Field in six months signals a willingness to adjust the designated areas if resident interest and compliance warrant it.

Boulder City’s revamped leash law represents a marked departure from decades of ambiguity, offering a more organised system that attempts to balance owner freedoms with public expectations.

Whether the compromise satisfies the community — or simply becomes the first step toward further changes — remains to be seen as the new rules take effect.