Local rules
What professional dog walkers in Chicago are expected to know — in plain language, with the actual citations.Verified by the Top Dog SF team · September 2026
Chicago has two rulebooks and they say different things. The Municipal Code requires restraint and defines an animal under restraint as secured by a leash or lead, with no length specified. The Park District Code is stricter: outside a designated Dog Friendly Area, a leash NOT EXCEEDING SIX FEET. So the moment you step onto Park District property the six-foot rule applies even though the city code never mentions a number.
MCC 7-12-020, 7-12-030; Chicago Park District Code B.10.a.(1) · official source
Every Chicago dog needs a current rabies vaccination and a City of Chicago dog licence. For off-leash use the bar is much higher — see the parks section, because the Dog Friendly Area tag requires a vet exam within the past year including a stool test, plus DHPP and Bordetella. Check tags before every walk and keep a photo on file.
MCC Ch. 7-12
The full pack — plus state and U.S.-wide baselines and an assessment localized to Chicago — is included with the Certified Professional Dog Walker.
Get certified — with Chicago rules included →This is educational guidance for dog-care professionals, not legal advice. Rules change — always confirm with the official source before relying on a rule.