Our beaches, towns and villages can be fun and rewarding for both pets and their owners. Towns and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore have their own restrictions pertaining to pets both indoors and out. Please be courteous and clean up after your pet. All pet waste must be collected immediately and deposited in appropriate containers. Please contact each town and the National Park Service for any changes to pet policies. But know that the Outer Banks will always be a pet-friendly destination.
Dogs are allowed on the beach unleashed, but as a matter of public safety and courtesy, they should be under the watchful eye and contact of their owner. Duck beach accesses are privately owned by individual Home Owners Associations, and access is limited to Homeowner group residents and guests.
Dogs are allowed on the beach before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. from May 15 - September 15. Year-round leash law. Dogs must be on leashes no longer than 10 feet. All pet waste must be collected immediately and deposited in appropriate containers. The same rules apply during all hours in the off-season.
Dogs are allowed on the beach and must display a current rabies tag. The owner/handler must remove feces and possess a bag/container for waste removal at all times. From the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 12 feet. Dogs may be taken off the leash only if they will not disturb other people on the beach and must be controlled by the handler, who must remain within 30 feet of the dog at all times. Leash must be with the owner/handler at all times.
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day of each year, no dogs shall be permitted on the public beach between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. unless being used to aid a handicapped person. At all other times, no dogs shall be permitted on the public beaches except upon a leash and under the control of the owner or handler.
Any animal off the premises of the custodian shall be restrained by a leash, cord, or chain not exceeding six feet in length, held by a person who is physically able to control the animal unless such animal is restrained by voice control. For specific business dog code inquiries, check their listing on our website.
