Tallahassee's off-leash dog parks at Tom Brown, Bradfordville, J. Lee Vause and Apalachee Regional Park, dog-friendly patios and the city leash law.

Last checked 2026-10-10. Facts come from the City of Tallahassee code, the city’s parks page, Leon County’s dog park page and Visit Tallahassee.

Tallahassee has four public off-leash dog parks: the City of Tallahassee’s at Tom Brown Park, and Leon County’s at Bradfordville, J. Lee Vause Park and Apalachee Regional Park. Everywhere else in public, city law requires your dog to be under direct control, which in practice means a leash, and to wear its rabies tag.

Who to call

  • City parks: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs, 850-891-3866
  • Leon County parks and dog parks: 850-606-1470
  • Tallahassee Animal Service Center: 850-891-2950
  • Leon County Animal Control (problem with another dog, unincorporated county): 850-606-5400
  • Animal emergencies after hours: Consolidated Dispatch Agency, 850-606-5800

Dog parks

Dog park Address Run by Hours Notes
Tom Brown Park Easterwood Drive, east of Capital Circle SE between Mahan Drive and Apalachee Parkway City of Tallahassee Sunrise to sunset In a nearly 300-acre park with trails and a pump track
Bradfordville Dog Park 6808 Beech Ridge Trail Leon County Dawn to dusk The county’s biggest: 13 acres for small and large dogs; two entrances, one by the community center lot and a walk-in gate off Kinhega Drive
J. Lee Vause Dog Park 6024 Old Bainbridge Road Leon County Dawn to dusk 1.5 acres with space for small and big dogs; drinking fountain with dog bowl, log tunnel, jumping hoops
Apalachee Regional Park Dog Park 7550 Apalachee Parkway Leon County Dawn to dusk Two acres; separate large and small dog areas, four shade structures, two rinsing stations and the region’s first public dog agility course

Tom Brown Park is described on the city’s park page as the city’s premier place to play, with ballfields, courts, playgrounds, wooded trails, a pump track and a dog park.

Rules. City code Sec. 4-107 says everyone using a city off-leash park must follow the rules posted at the entrance, can be removed for breaking them, uses the park at their own risk and is responsible for any injury their dog causes. The county posts its rules at each park.

The leash law

From the City of Tallahassee’s animal code:

  • No running at large (Sec. 4-103). Owners must keep animals from running or staying at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public space, and off other people’s property without permission. A dog found at large may be impounded.
  • What counts as control (Sec. 4-2). A dog must be under direct control at all times, on or off your property: “effective immediate, continuous physical control,” such as a leash, lead, kennel, secure fence or chain, or a building or vehicle. Voice control counts only for working dogs in specific cases.
  • Exceptions: service animals at work, police and rescue dogs, and dogs in a city off-leash area under the owner’s immediate supervision and the posted rules.
  • No tethering on public or private property without the property owner’s consent.
  • Rabies (Sec. 4-121). Every dog, cat and ferret 4 months or older must be vaccinated against rabies and wear its rabies tag around its neck at all times.
  • Nuisances (Sec. 4-10). Habitual barking or howling that seriously disturbs neighbors, and a dog leaving waste on someone else’s property, are public nuisances under the code.

In city parks, dogs are welcome on a leash but must stay off ballfields and playgrounds, and owners must pick up after them, the city’s parks page says. Outside the city limits, Leon County’s ordinance applies.

Trails

Leashed dogs are welcome on the shared-use trails at Lafayette Heritage Trail Park, next to Tom Brown Park, and across the city’s greenways under the same leash rules. Distances, trailheads and parking are on our walking and biking trails and parks and trails guides. Bring water in summer; Tallahassee heat is hard on dogs.

Dog-friendly patios

Visit Tallahassee, Leon County’s tourism office, lists these restaurants and bars as dog friendly. Policies change, so ask at the door.

  • Downtown: The Edison (patio over Cascades Park; its Powerplant Cafe window hands out dog biscuits), Proof Brewing Co. (beer garden), Harry’s Seafood and Grill (patio), Bird’s Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack (picnic tables).
  • Midtown: Table 23 (string-lit patio), The Brass Tap (large patio), Bella Bella (patio), Midtown Caboose, Ology Brewing Co.
  • College Town: Madison Social (outdoor seating), Township (beer garden).
  • Market Square: Jeri’s (patio garden), Momo’s, Island Wing Company, Gordos, Chicken Salad Chick.
  • Uptown: The Blu Halo, Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant, Coosh’s.

What this means for you

  • Off-leash: four public dog parks, all open roughly sunrise to sunset.
  • Everywhere else in public: leash on, rabies tag on.
  • Patios: call ahead; each restaurant sets its own rules.

Related: parks and trails, free things to do and kids’ activities.

Frequently asked questions

Do dogs have to be on a leash in Tallahassee?

Yes, off your own property. City code Sec. 4-103 requires owners to keep animals from running at large on any public street, park or public space; a dog must be under direct control, such as a leash. The exception is a city off-leash area, under its posted rules.

Where are the off-leash dog parks in Tallahassee?

The City of Tallahassee has a dog park at Tom Brown Park. Leon County runs three: Bradfordville (13 acres, 6808 Beech Ridge Trail), J. Lee Vause (6024 Old Bainbridge Road) and Apalachee Regional Park (7550 Apalachee Parkway).

What are the hours of Leon County dog parks?

Dawn to dusk, the county says. City parks, including Tom Brown Park, are open sunrise to sunset.

Do dogs need a rabies tag in Tallahassee?

Yes. City code requires every dog, cat and ferret 4 months or older to be vaccinated against rabies and to wear the rabies tag around its neck at all times.

Which Tallahassee restaurants allow dogs on the patio?

Visit Tallahassee lists dog-friendly spots including The Edison and Proof Brewing downtown, Table 23 and The Brass Tap in Midtown, Madison Social and Township in College Town, and Jeri’s and Momo’s at Market Square.