News: City of Biddeford Seasonal Dog Ordinances
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Author |
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E. Dube |
To help make the best plans this summer for your next visit to one of Biddeford’s fresh or saltwater beaches and beautiful parks, please make sure you are aware of rules that apply to our favorite furry family members. Here are some of the important municipal ordinances regarding dogs in outdoor recreational spaces; details, additional ordinances, and information on related fines are available at www.biddefordmaine.org.
Dogs on Beaches: Ordinance 46-13
- Dogs are completely prohibited on the City’s public beaches between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from May 25 to September 15.
- No unleashed dog is allowed on any of the City’s public beaches from March 15 to September 15. Unleashed dogs under voice command are allowed on the City’s public beaches all day from September 16 to March 14.
- Dogs may not use any part of the Rotary Park beach between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. from May 25 to September 15 of each year.
Dogs - Running at large on public ways prohibited; restraint required: Ordinance 10-31
Dogs on a public way or place shall be under restraint. For a dog to be "under restraint" as required in this section, it must be controlled by a leash, which shall not be more than eight feet in length, on or within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets, or within the property limits of its owner or keeper, or in specially designated "off leash" areas.
Off-leash areas: All dogs must be within 50 feet of owner or keeper and be under voice control. "Voice control" is defined as being able to immediately call the dog back with one call.
Off-leash areas within the City include:
- Rotary Park: The river bank along the boat launch side of the park. The “river bank” is defined as the area bordered by and including the boat launch, up the river bank to where the access road and the river split. It extends up to but does not include the dirt road in the park. See above for Rotary Park beachfront ordinance.
- Clifford Park: Dogs may be off leash and under voice command on designated trails in the wooded section of the park. This section is defined as the wooded area of the public park and 100 yards from all trail heads and parking areas. Please respect any new signage placed within the park in areas surrounding identified vernal pools.
- City beaches: see above
Dogs prohibited from certain areas: Ordinance 10-35
Dogs, leashed or not, are prohibited from school yards, playgrounds and athletic fields.
City Links:
Information on Biddeford Beaches
City of Biddeford Code of Ordinances
Looking for a dog-friendly alternative space? Rotary Park features a volunteer-led dog park. “Located in the heart of Biddeford, our dog park is a city-owned, community-maintained space where dogs and their owners can enjoy some off-leash fun. The park features two fenced-in areas: one for dogs under 35 pounds and another for larger dogs. It’s a perfect spot for your furry friends to run, play, and socialize safely.” Rotary Park is open from dawn to dusk. FMI: Biddeford Dog Park on Facebook