Leash Laws and Town Ordinances

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Corolla:
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round but must be on a leash at all times. Heritage Park at the Whalehead Club also welcomes leashed dogs. Always clean up after your pet.
Duck:
All dogs must be vaccinated for rabies, wear a collar with identification, and must be on a 10-ft or less leash when not at the beach. A leash is not necessary at Duck beaches year-round, but you must keep watch and control over your dog. Always clean up after your pet. Burying waste in the sand or disposing of it in the water is strictly prohibited. Dogs are allowed at town events as long as they are well-behaved and properly restrained. The Town Park offers a dog-friendly water fountain, dog waste receptacles, and bags. Please remember that a leash is required at the Town Park, boardwalk, Duck Trail, and throughout town (the beach is the only exception).
Southern Shores:
Dogs are only allowed on the beach after 6:00PM and before 9:00AM from May 15th-September 15th. The rest of the year, dogs are allowed on Southern Shores beaches at any time. Year-round, all dogs must be on a 10-ft or less leash at all times — this applies to the beach and the rest of the town. Always clean up after your pet.
Kitty Hawk:
From the Friday before Memorial Day through the day after Labor Day, dogs must be on a 6-ft or less leash between the hours of 10AM and 6PM. From 6PM to 10AM, a 12-ft or shorter leash is allowed. The rest of the year, leashes are not required as long as your dog will not disturb other people, is within your control, stays within 30 feet of you, and returns to you when called. Always clean up after your pet. All dogs on public property in Kitty Hawk must display a current rabies tag. Kitty Hawk has a dog park, located at 856 Midgett Road. You must complete an application and submit it to the Northern Beach Division Office at 602 Mustian Street in Kill Devil Hills in order to receive a keycode to enter/exit the dog park. Learn more and view the application on the county’s website.
Kill Devil Hills:
Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, dogs are not allowed on the beach between the hours of 9AM and 6PM (unless being used to aid a handicapped person). The rest of the year, dogs are allowed at the beach with a leash at any time as long as they are under your control. Kill Devil Hills has a dog park, located at 103 Veterans Drive. Check out KDHPawsPark.com to see the Paws Park rules. Dogs are allowed off-leash within the confines of the park, but dog owners are responsible for the behavior of their dogs, and must have a leash ready, in-hand.
Nags Head:
As long as dogs are on an 8-ft or less leash at all times, dogs are welcome on the beach. Always clean up after your pet. Nags Head has a dog park, located at 227 West Satterfield Landing Road. Check out the town of Nags Head’s website to view the dog park rules. Dogs are allowed off-leash within the confines of the park, but dog owners are responsible for the behavior of their dogs, and must have a leash ready, in-hand. Please note that the water is turned off at the dog park in the winter months.
Additional Tips
Protect those paws! On hot days, it’s best to take your dog for walks in the early morning and late evening and keep them in shaded grass as much as possible when outside. If it’s too hot for you to go barefoot on sand/asphalt, it’s too hot for your dog.
Visiting for the 4th of July? More pets go missing on Independence Day than any other day of the year. Make sure you’re aware of the timing of scheduled fireworks shows nearby and ensure your beach homes’ windows and doors are secured. Double check that your contact information is updated and readable on your pet’s collar.