Dog-friendly Charlotte: county dog parks open 7:30 a.m. to sunset, 70 off-leash acres at the Whitewater Center, dog-friendly breweries and the leash law.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Rules come from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation; venue policies from each venue’s own site. Venues change their pet rules; check before you go.

Charlotte is a leash town: outside your own fenced yard and the designated dog parks, your dog must be on a leash you are holding. Here is where dogs can run, which patios welcome them and what the rules say.

Who to call

  • Loose or nuisance animal: CharMeck 311 or 704-336-7600 (Animal Care and Control)
  • County dog parks: Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, 980-314-1000
  • Emergency (a dangerous animal): 911

The leash law

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control’s ordinance summary says:

  • Animals must be on a leash, inside a fence or inside an operable, marked invisible fence.
  • In your own yard, a dog may be loose only if an adult 18 or older is right next to it and the dog responds to that person’s voice commands.
  • On walks in neighborhoods and in public parks other than designated dog parks, dogs must be leashed and under physical restraint at all times. Carrying a leash that is not attached does not count.
  • Fines start at $50 for a first violation and rise to $500 for a fifth, with permanent seizure of the animal.

The full text is in the city’s Code of Ordinances on Municode. To report an animal at large, call 311; the city says a response can take up to four hours.

County dog parks

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation runs fenced off-leash dog parks, open daily 7:30 a.m. to sunset. The county’s rules:

  • Dogs must have current rabies (with tag number), DHLPP and Bordetella vaccinations.
  • No children under 12 inside the dog parks.
  • Follow the rules posted at each park.

County dog parks in Charlotte include:

Dog park County page
Davie Dog Park at William R. Davie Park Map and directions
Frazier Dog Park Map and directions
Ninth Street Dog Park Map and directions
Shuffletown Dog Park Map and directions
Clarks Creek Dog Park Map and directions

The county is also gathering public input on new dog parks at McKee Road Park and North Charlotte Park and on improvements at Renaissance Park and William R. Davie Park, on its dog park projects page.

Off Leash at the Whitewater Center

The U.S. National Whitewater Center has fenced 70 of its 1,300 acres for dogs only. Its Off Leash area has three ponds, 2.5 miles of trail, beaches, a dock and a dog wash station.

  • Enter at 5000 Whitewater Parkway and follow signs through South Lot to the Off Leash parking lot. Keep dogs leashed until you are inside the double gates.
  • Each dog needs a pass; people without a dog get in free. Up to three dogs per person. Annual pass holders can add one dog at no extra charge.
  • Dogs must be at least 4 months old, vaccinated and wearing a collar with an ID tag. Dogs that are in heat, aggressive or sick are not allowed.
  • People may not go in the ponds, and you must stay with your dog.
  • Hours change by season; check the daily activity schedule.

Breweries that welcome dogs

These say on their own sites that dogs are welcome:

  • Divine Barrel Brewing, 3701 N. Davidson St., NoDa: “well-mannered” dogs are welcome in the taproom if they stay leashed, and well-behaved pups can ask at the bar for a treat.
  • Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Road: the brewery calls its one-acre Biergarten, shaded by old oak, pecan and hickory trees, a place for “people, pets, and life’s simple pleasures.”
  • Vaulted Oak Brewing, 3726 Monroe Road: describes itself as family and dog friendly and has held a Dogtober fest with dogs for adoption.

Policies differ from place to place and can change; ask a restaurant or brewery before you bring a dog, even to a patio.

Walking with your dog

The leash law applies on greenways and park trails: keep your dog leashed and under control. Our walking and biking trails guide and parks and trails guide list the main routes, distances and trailheads.

What this means for you

  • Leash your dog everywhere except a fenced dog park, your own fenced yard or Off Leash.
  • Keep vaccination records handy; dog parks require rabies, DHLPP and Bordetella.
  • More ideas: free things to do and kids’ activities.

Frequently asked questions

Does Charlotte have a leash law?

Yes. Dogs must be on a leash, behind a fence or inside a marked invisible fence. In neighborhoods and public parks other than designated dog parks, dogs must be leashed and under physical restraint at all times.

What is the fine for a dog off leash in Charlotte?

Fines start with a $50 citation for a first violation and rise to $500 for a fifth, which also brings permanent seizure of the animal, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control.

What are the hours of Charlotte’s dog parks?

Mecklenburg County’s dog parks are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to sunset. Dogs need current rabies (with tag number), DHLPP and Bordetella vaccinations, and children under 12 are not allowed inside.

Where can my dog run off leash in Charlotte?

At the county’s fenced dog parks, including Davie, Frazier, Ninth Street, Shuffletown and Clarks Creek, and at the U.S. National Whitewater Center’s Off Leash area, 70 fenced acres with three ponds and 2.5 miles of trail.

How do I report a loose dog in Charlotte?

Call 311 or 704-336-7600. Animal Care and Control says a response can take up to four hours.