Dog Owner Responsibilities

Here's what you need to know to be a responsible dog owner in the City of Portland. Click here to return to the home page.

Dogs in the City must be licensed by the Clerk's Office
To license your dog for the first time, the cost is $6.00 if spayed/neutered and $11.00 if not. Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies as well. You can visit the City Clerk's office in Room 203 at City Hall to obtain a dog license or by mail - just send your proof of vaccination and neutering (if applicable) to: City Clerk's Office, 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine, 04101. Please call us at 874-8610 with any questions.

Dogs must be on a leash in most areas of the City
Your dog must be on a 8 foot maximum leash on all streets and publicly owned property including Back Cove and the Skate Park. There are several areas where your dog can be on a longer leash or under voice control.

Dogs must be leashed (max. 25 feet) in the following areas:
• Bayside Park
• Baxter Pines
• Deering Oaks
• Dougherty Field
• Evergreen Cemetery (Dogs allowed on roads and  paths only, not on gravesites)
• Longfellow Park
• Quaker Park
• Stroudwater Park
• Western Prom
• Eastern Promenade (some areas in this location do allow for voice command, see below).

Dogs can be unleashed at the following locations (must be under voice command):
• Capisic Pond Park
• Evergreen Cemetery (to the north and west of Northern Ave; in undeveloped wooded area)
• East End Beach (day after Labor Day to the day before Memorial Day)
• Hall School Woods
• Ocean Avenue Landfill
• Pine Grove Park
• Woods behind Portland Arts & Technology School (196 Allen Avenue)
• At North Street/Washington Avenue (behind Jack School)
• Quarry Run Dog Park
• Riverton Park
• University Park
• Valley Street Park
• Any city owned island park areas and open space (unless posted otherwise).
• Eastern Promenade park within (1) the area bounded by the following: Cutter Street to the lower sidewalk to the exit side of the Fort Allen roadway and back to Cutter Street; and (2) the mid-slope nature path. Said areas of Eastern Promenade park to be open to dogs under voice control from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. of each day, and from Labor Day through Memorial Day from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. of each day.

There are no dogs allowed on East End Beach from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. There are also no dogs allowed (with the exception of those assisting the visually impaired) on any playfields, school yards or playgrounds.

For additional information including directions to any of the above facilities, please call our Public Services office at 874-8801.

All dog waste must be disposed of properly
It's easy to do and helps keep our City sidewalks clean and free of disease. Dog feces placed in City garbage cans should be contained within some type of plastic bag.

Violation fines:

$250.00 fine for not picking up after your pet. For fine information, see Chapter 5 of the Portland City Code or call the Corporation Council’s office at 874-8480

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