Six free city dog parks, the summer beach rules for dogs, First Landing's 6-foot leash rule and the city leash law, with addresses and official links.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Sources: Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation’s dog parks page and park rules, the city’s beach and Boardwalk dog rules and First Landing State Park.
Virginia Beach is a good town for a dog most of the year: six free fenced dog parks, a Boardwalk that allows leashed dogs, and miles of beach where dogs can run in the off-season. Summer is the exception, when the Resort Area beach is off-limits. Here are the places and the rules, from the city’s and the state’s own pages.
Who to call
- Parks and Recreation: 757-385-1100, fun@vbgov.com
- Dog bites and loose dogs (Police Animal Control): 757-385-5000
- City information: VB311, 757-385-3111
The beach and the Boardwalk
| Where | Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend | The rest of the year |
|---|---|---|
| Resort Area sand and water, Rudee Loop to 42nd Street | No dogs | Dogs allowed any time |
| Boardwalk | Leashed dogs 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Leashed dogs any time |
| Beaches north of 42nd Street and south of Rudee Loop (including Croatan and Sandbridge) | Before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m., leashed or under the owner’s control | Any time |
In the off-season, dogs may be off the leash on the sand only with reliable voice command and recall, the city says; they must stay leashed on the Boardwalk. Special events can restrict dogs, and service animals are exempt under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Check the sand and Boardwalk temperature before letting a dog walk on them in summer.
Dog parks
All six are run by Parks and Recreation and are free:
| Park | Address | What is there |
|---|---|---|
| Bayville Farms Park | 4132 First Court Road | Three fenced areas for small and large dogs, agility equipment |
| Level Green Park | 1520 Level Green Blvd. | Two fenced areas for large and small dogs |
| Marshview Park | 120 Marshview Drive | Four fenced areas with trees for shade |
| Red Wing Park | 1398 General Booth Blvd. | One acre in two fenced areas, agility equipment |
| Salem Woods Park | 1525 Salem Road | 1.72 acres in two sections, with trees |
| Woodstock Park | 5709 Providence Road | One acre in two fenced areas, agility equipment |
Dog park rules from the city: license and vaccinate your dog and keep an ID collar on; keep the leash on until you are inside the gate; no puppies under four months, no sick dogs and no females in heat; no children under 8; no food, including dog treats; fill any holes your dog digs; and leave at the first sign of aggression. Report dog bites to Police Animal Control, 757-385-5000.
Parks and trails with a leash
City park rules require every pet to be on a leash, so leashed dogs can join you on the park paths. At Pleasure House Point Natural Area, 3957 Marlin Bay Drive, dogs are welcome on a leash on the trails along the Lynnhaven River; bikes are not allowed there.
First Landing State Park, on Shore Drive, allows pets on its Chesapeake Bay beach on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Clean up after your pet and bring proof of rabies vaccination, which Virginia Beach requires, the park says. The park charges a parking fee and is open 7 a.m. to dusk.
Dogs are not allowed on the Little Island Fishing Pier (service dogs only) or at the Level Green Park sprayground.
Patios and events
- Pups on the Patio at Three Notch’d Brewing Company in Town Center ran on Sunday afternoons in 2026, according to Town Center’s event guides.
- Town and Treat at Town Center has a best-dressed dog category in its Halloween costume contest; leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome. See our Halloween events page.
Restaurant patios set their own rules; ask before you sit down with a dog.
The leash law and licenses
- Leash: in city parks, pets must be on a physical leash attached to a collar or harness and under the control of someone able to restrain them (City Code 5-531).
- Clean up: “scoop the poop” (City Code 5-534).
- License: dogs and cats need a city license (City Code 5-300) and rabies vaccination (City Code 5-200).
What this means for you
- In summer, take the dog to Croatan or Sandbridge early or late, not the Resort Area.
- Off-season, the whole beach is open to dogs.
- Keep proof of rabies vaccination with you at First Landing.
Related: parks and trails and walking and biking trails.
Frequently asked questions
Are dogs allowed on Virginia Beach beaches?
It depends on the season and the spot. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, dogs are banned from the sand and water in the Resort Area (Rudee Loop to 42nd Street); elsewhere they may be on the beach before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. The rest of the year, dogs are welcome on public beaches at any time.
Can I walk my dog on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk?
Yes, on a leash. In summer, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, leashed dogs are allowed on the Boardwalk from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; the rest of the year at any time. Special events can restrict them.
Where are the dog parks in Virginia Beach?
The city runs six free fenced dog parks: Bayville Farms Park, Level Green Park, Marshview Park, Red Wing Park, Salem Woods Park and Woodstock Park. Red Wing, Woodstock and Bayville Farms have agility equipment.
What is the leash law in Virginia Beach?
City Code 5-531 requires pets in city parks to be on a physical leash attached to a collar or harness and under the control of someone who can restrain them. Owners must also pick up after their dogs under City Code 5-534.
Are dogs allowed at First Landing State Park?
Yes. Pets are allowed on the park’s beach on a leash no longer than 6 feet; owners must clean up and bring proof of rabies vaccination, which Virginia Beach requires.
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