Arlington has 10 county dog parks, two lighted until 10 p.m. Everywhere else, dogs must be leashed under county code. Licenses are $30 for dogs 4 months and up.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Rules come from Arlington County’s Local Leash Laws and Dog Parks pages and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s animal laws and pet licensing pages.

Arlington has 10 county dog parks, and they are the only places a dog can be off leash. Everywhere else in the county, including trails, parks and sidewalks, dogs must be on a leash and under control. To report an off-leash dog outside a dog park, call the Park Rangers at 703-228-0052. For animal control, injured animals or welfare concerns, call the Animal Welfare League of Arlington at 703-931-9241.

What this means for you

  • Leash: required off your own property, even when you are right there (County Code 2-6). E-collars do not count.
  • License: every dog 4 months or older needs a county license, $30, with a current rabies certificate.
  • Clean up: county code requires owners to pick up after their dogs on public land and other people’s property.
  • Night: Towers and Gateway dog parks are lighted until 10 p.m.

The leash law

Arlington County’s leash law page says all dogs in the county must be on a leash and under the control of their owner or another responsible person. The only exception is a county-sanctioned off-leash dog park.

  • Code 2-6 requires a leash even when the owner is present.
  • Code 2-5 covers a dog “running at large.” An animal control officer may pick up and impound a dog running at large; the fee schedule is in Code 2-9.
  • Repeat offenders of either section face higher fines and more charges.
  • Electronic training collars do not meet the leash requirement.

The Park Rangers line, 703-228-0052, is monitored afternoons and evenings on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, according to the county. Barking complaints go to the county’s code enforcement office under the noise ordinance (Chapter 15), not to animal control.

Dog parks

All 10 county dog parks open at sunrise. Closing times differ. The full list, with addresses, is on our parks and trails guide.

Dog park Address Closes
Towers 801 S. Scott St. 10 p.m. (lighted)
Gateway (interim) 1300 Langston Blvd. 10 p.m. (lighted)
Fort Barnard 2101 S. Pollard St. 9 p.m.
James Hunter 1230 N. Hartford St. 9 p.m.
Fort Ethan Allen 3829 N. Stafford St. Half hour after sunset
Utah 3191 S. Utah St. Half hour after sunset
Shirlington 2710 S. Oakland St. Sunset
Glencarlyn (not fully fenced) 401 S. Harrison St. Sunset
Virginia Highlands (interim) 1600 S. Hayes St. Sunset
Benjamin Banneker 1680 N. Sycamore St. See the county’s page

Read the county’s dog park rules before your first visit.

Walks and trails

Leashed dogs can walk Arlington’s trails. Good long walks:

  • Four Mile Run Trail, past Glencarlyn Park, Allie S. Freed Park and Barcroft Park, linking with the W&OD Trail.
  • W&OD Trail, NOVA Parks’ 45-mile paved trail from Shirlington to Purcellville, open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
  • Mount Vernon Trail, the National Park Service’s 18-mile paved trail along the Potomac, open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Distances, trailheads and parking are on our walking and biking trails guide. Arlington National Cemetery is not a place to walk a dog; only service animals are allowed.

Dog shops and events

  • Dogma Bakery & Boutique, which opened in Arlington in 2000, bakes dog treats in its stores and sells food and supplies. It has two Arlington shops: Village at Shirlington, 2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive, and Clarendon, 2509 Franklin Road, 703-566-1937. dogmabakery.com
  • The Lodge, National Landing’s free winter festival in Metropolitan Park, includes a dog holiday sweater contest. In 2026 it is Saturday, Dec. 5. See our holiday lights and Christmas events page.
  • Santa Paws Yappy Hour in Rosslyn, with treats for dogs, is Friday, Dec. 4, 2026. See our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Licenses, shots and adoption

  • License: all dogs 4 months or older living in Arlington must be licensed by the county. Mail or bring the application with a $30 check or money order payable to “Treasurer, Arlington County” to the Office of the Treasurer, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 201. Renewals can be done online. Cats do not need a license.
  • Rabies: Virginia law requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated at 4 months. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington runs low-cost rabies clinics.
  • Adopt: the Animal Welfare League of Arlington is the county’s shelter and animal control agency.

Related guides: parks and trails, kids’ activities and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

Do dogs have to be on a leash in Arlington, Virginia?

Yes. Off the owner’s property, every dog in Arlington County must be leashed and under control, even with the owner present (County Code 2-6). The only exception is inside a county-sanctioned off-leash dog park. Electronic training collars do not count as a leash.

Which Arlington dog parks are open at night?

Towers Dog Park, 801 S. Scott St., and the Gateway interim dog park, 1300 Langston Blvd., are lighted and open until 10 p.m. Fort Barnard and James Hunter close at 9 p.m.

Do I need a dog license in Arlington?

Yes. All dogs 4 months or older living in Arlington County must be licensed. The license costs $30, payable to Treasurer, Arlington County, with a copy of a current rabies certificate. Cats do not need a license.

Who do I call about an off-leash dog in an Arlington park?

Call the county Park Rangers at 703-228-0052. For animal control, call the Animal Welfare League of Arlington at 703-931-9241.