A. With the exception set forth in subsection B of this section, it is unlawful for the owner or person having charge, care, custody, or control of any animal to allow such animal at any time to run at large. The owner or person charged with responsibility for an animal found running at large shall be strictly liable for a violation of this section, regardless of the precautions taken to prevent the escape of the animal and regardless of whether or not such owner or person knows that the animal is running at large. Any violation of this section shall constitute a civil violation and will be penalized pursuant to the criteria set forth in sections 8.15.020, 8.15.025, and 8.15.027 of this title.
B. 1. Dogs shall be permitted to run off leash only in areas of parks and public spaces specifically designated in City ordinance as "off leash areas" or "off leash trails", and clearly identified by signage as such. Said areas shall be as follows:
a. Designated areas of Memory Grove Park known as the Freedom Trail section;
b. The Municipal ballpark, also known as Herman Franks Park, except for the fenced youth baseball diamonds and playground area;
c. Designated areas of Jordan Park;
d. Designated areas of Lindsey Gardens;
e. Designated areas of Parleys Historic Nature Park, as set forth in title 15, chapter 15.10 of this Code, or its successor;
f. Designated areas of Pioneer Park;
g. Designated areas of Cottonwood Park;
h. Designated areas of Fairmont Park;
i. Designated areas of Rotary Glen Park;
j. Designated areas and hours at Wasatch Hollow Park;
k. Designated areas and hours at Warm Springs Park;
l. Designated areas and hours at Parley's Way Park; and
m. Designated areas and hours at Jefferson Park.
2. While in such areas dogs shall at all times remain under control of the dog's owner or custodian. "Under control" means that a dog will respond on command to its owner or custodian.
C. 1. The foregoing notwithstanding, the relevant department may conduct additional experiments in other areas of the City for possible future legislative enactment designating such areas as "off leash areas" or "off leash trails". The process must be a community friendly process directed at serving the interests of Salt Lake City residents. If the location is in an area represented by an active recognized neighborhood organization, the request must be forwarded to that organization for comment and recommendation. Each new off-leash site must pass through a twelve (12)-month test period before it can be permanently established. At the conclusion of the test period, the relevant department director will review public and administration input and make a final recommendation to the Mayor or the Mayor's designee and the Council on whether to make the off-leash designation official by ordinance. Within thirty (30) days after it receives the department director's recommendation, the Council may take any of the following actions: a) request and review any additional information from the administration; b) consider objections to the proposed off-leash site; or c) convene to receive additional public input. If the Council does not take any of those actions within that thirty (30)-day period, the Mayor or the Mayor's designee may, without further Council involvement, designate the proposed off-leash site as an off leash area. If, after taking any of those actions, the Council determines that the proposed off leash area should not be designated, the Council Chair shall promptly direct the Mayor not to designate that area as off leash, and the Mayor shall not designate that area as off leash unless the City successfully repeats the designation process described in this subsection C1. Any off leash areas designated in the future under this process will not be codified in this Code.
2. No domesticated animal, on or off-leash, shall be permitted inside areas of parks and public spaces specifically prohibited by City ordinance. The areas identified below will be closed for habitat and nature preservation and/or public safety issues and must be clearly identified by signage as closed. Said areas shall be as follows:
a. Wasatch Hollow Preserve - North gate entry and trails on the north end of the Preserve;
b. I Street Bike Park;
c. 900 South Bike Park;
d. Fred & Ila Rose Fife Wetlands Preserve - 952 South 1100 West;
e. BMX Bike Park at Parleys Historic Nature Park;
f. Parleys Historic Nature Park as described in section 15.10.060 of this Code; and
g. Allen Park.
3. From time to time, and for reasons of public safety or the protection of wildlife or other sensitive resources, the relevant department director may specifically designate certain areas as closed to domesticated animals, for up to a maximum of fourteen (14) days, by clearly identifying the area by signage as closed. It is unlawful for any person to take domesticated animals into such areas whether loose, on a leash, or in arms. The relevant department director will provide notice of this closure to the City Council in writing in advance of the closure or, in cases of emergency, within a reasonable time after the closure. (Ord. 41-21, 2021: Ord. 21-19, 2019)