Local rules
What professional dog walkers in Marin County are expected to know — in plain language, with the actual citations.Verified by the Top Dog SF team · September 2026
Six feet maximum on signed trails across Marin County Open Space District land. On fire protection roads a dog may be under voice control provided you have a leash READILY AVAILABLE — that's a narrow exception tied to a specific kind of route, not a general standard. Off-trail is prohibited outright, with or without a leash.
MCOSD Code §2.05.010 · official source
Standard California requirements apply — current rabies vaccination and county licensing. In Marin the document that gates your work is the commercial walking permit rather than the dog's licence, but check vaccination status at intake as you would anywhere.
The full pack — plus state and U.S.-wide baselines and an assessment localized to Marin County — is included with the Certified Professional Dog Walker.
Get certified — with Marin County 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.