The Marin Humane Society

Open Space

The Marin County Open Space District rules and regulations are “designed to protect ensure visitor safety and protect natural resources. Recreation is permitted on open space lands only when consistent with resource management objectives. Activities which threaten or endanger visitors, the land or the environment are not permitted.”

The ordinance allows only three dogs total per individual for non-commercial use on District lands, with the stipulation that up to three of those dogs may be allowed off-leash on maintained fire roads.

The Marin Humane Society feels that this is a reasonable recommendation.

The ordinance change reads as follows:

SECTION I. Section 2.05.010 is hereby amended to read as follows:

MARIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
ORDINANCE NO. 16

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MARIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS AMENDING SECTION 2.05.010 OF THE MARIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CODE PERTAINING TO THE REGULATION OF DOGS ON DISTRICT OWNED OR MANAGED PROPERTY

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MARIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE DISTRICT DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION I. Section 2.05.010 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2.05.010 Dogs and Other Animals. Dogs and other domestic animals are allowed on District lands when under the direct and immediate control of a responsible person. Up to three dogs per individual are allowed, with exceptions beyond that number granted only through issuance by the District General Manager of a Special or Commercial Use Permit. On maintained and designated fire protection roads three dogs off-leash per individual are allowed. In all other areas, dogs and other domestic animals must be fastened to and restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length. No person shall do any of the following on District lands:

(a) allow any dog or other domestic animal to enter environmentally sensitive
or restricted areas of District lands;

(b) allow any dog or other domestic animal to interfere with, bother or disturb
others using District lands;

(d) bring or keep a noisy, vicious or dangerous dog or other animal;

(e) bring or keep a dog four months of age or more without proof that the
dog has a valid rabies inoculation and a valid license;

(f) fail to promptly remove from District lands any dog or other domestic
animal after being ordered by District personnel to do so.

(g) allow excrement from dogs under their control to remain on District land.

SECTION II. Effective Date: This ordinance shall be and is hereby declared to be in full force and effect thirty (30) days from and after the date of its passage and shall be published once before the expiration of fifteen (15) days after its passage, with the names of the directors voting for and against the same in the Independent Journal, a newspaper of general circulation published in the County of Marin.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Marin County Open Space District, State of California, held on 11th day of June, 2002, by the following vote:

AYES: 3

NOES: 0

ABSENT: 2. Steve Kinsey & Hal Brown

Commercial Dog Walking

The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance at their meeting on June 11.

The ordinance sets conditions for use of Open Space lands by Commercial Dog Walkers

The ordinance conditions read as follows

CONDITIONS FOR COMMERCIAL USE PERMIT

Permittees and their designees must obey all applicable regulations, including Marin County Open Space District ordinances and policies as well as the following conditions:

1. Commercial dog walking is permitted only Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

2. Permittees are limited to six dogs total per handler on District managed property. A three-dog off-leash limit on maintained fire roads is allowed, with all other dogs being walked by the handler kept on leash at the same time.

3. Dogs must remain on fire roads at all times.

4. At all times dogs shall be kept under the immediate control and direction of the handler. This includes:

a. All dogs must be in view of the handler and no more than 20 feet from the handler while on District property.

b. All dogs must return to handler immediately when called (2 calls with a return limit of 10 seconds).

5. Permittees will be directed to specific fire roads and/or specific sites for their use as part of this permit, at the discretion of the District. Every effort will be made to accommodate walkers preferences for walking locations spread across the extent of District managed properties. Commercial dog walking in areas not listed under the permit is a violation of the conditions and subject to permit cancellation.

6. Permittees will obtain and provide proof to the District of graduation, by all of their handlers utilizing District open space, from a class in dog obedience and trail courtesy from the Marin Humane Society, or an equivalent organization.

7. Handlers must carry one leash per dog when on District managed property.

8. Dogs must not disturb other users of the Preserves and must be controlled when in their presence (disturbance is defined as physically harming, displaying threatening behavior, jumping on, or unwelcome touching).

9. Handlers will pick up their dog’s waste during their use of the Preserves and remove it to an off-site location following the walk.

10. All dogs four months of age or more, brought onto District property, are required to have current dog licenses. The handler must carry proof of vaccinations for each unlicensed animal.

11. Dogs must be screened for behavior problems and demonstrate obedience to the handler before walking on District lands. Aggressive or dangerous dogs are not allowed, and must be removed immediately.

12. Permittees shall obtain, provide a copy to the District and maintain for the term of this permit a Certificate of Liability Insurance in an amount not less than $ 1,000,000, naming the Marin County Open Space District, the County of Marin and its officers, agents and employees as additional insured.

13. When using District lands for commercial dog walking, handlers will carry a copy of their permit and make it available when requested by District staff. Handlers will also wear a sanctioned vest that identifies them as a District permitted commercial dog walker.

14. Permits are suspended during periods of high fire danger or other dangerous site conditions, as determined by the District General Manager. For information on these land closures call (415) 499-7191.

15. Excessive complaints about a Permittee’s use of District lands for commercial dog walking, or non-compliance with permit conditions may warrant canceling or suspending the permit, at the District’s discretion.

16. Permit fees will be charged for issuance of the permit to cover District administrative costs. The permit will be valid for one year from date of issuance.

To help the community’s goal of safe recreational outings for all Open Space users, it is important for all users to understand the rules and regulations of Open Space lands.