May My Animal be Tethered Outdoors?

Yes, tethering is allowed, but with restrictions. 

Section 05.530: Tethering, Prohibited Conduct

A. It shall be unlawful for any owner or controlling party to: 

1. Leave an animal tethered outdoors for eight (8) continuous hours or for a total of twelve (12) hours in a twenty-four (24) hour   period. 
2. Tether an animal except by means of:    
   • A properly fitting harness or collar of nylon or leather construction which does not chafe or injure the animal, and 
   • A tether in proportion to the size of the animal such that its weight and construction do not burden or encumber the animal. The tether must be at least fifteen (15) feet in length with a swivel at both ends.
   • A tether’s length shall not allow the animal to move outside the bounds of the owner’s curtilage or have access to sidewalks or right of way’s that are accessible to pedestrian traffic. 
3. Tether an animal in such a manner that the animal cannot access adequate shelter. 
4. Tether an animal outdoors under conditions where the tether can become entangled on itself, the tethered animal, another animal or some other object or where the tether can restrict the animal’s access to suitable, edible and sufficient food, clean water (cool in summer an unfrozen in winter) and appropriate shelter.
5. Tether an animal outdoors in unsafe or unsanitary conditions or when the tether does not allow the animal to defecate or urinate in an area separate from the areas where it must eat, drink or lie down. 
6. Expose an animal to any weather conditions that cause imminent threat to the animal’s physical well-being. 
7. No person shall tether an animal on a choke, prong or pinch collar or tow chain or in such a manner as to cause injury, strangulation or entanglement of the animal on fence, trees or other manmade or natural obstacles. 
8. No person shall tether an animal in an area where bare earth is present and no steps have been taken to prevent the surface from becoming wet and muddy in the event of precipitation. 
9. No person shall leave an animal tethered outside between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, except temporarily tethering outdoors for a time period not exceeding fifteen (15) minutes.
10. Animals may not be muzzled while on a tether or chain.
11. For the purposes of this section, “tether” does not include the use of a leash to walk an animal. 

B. Violations of this section shall be punishable under the provisions set forth under 205.535 Animal Neglect or Abandonment.