61 °F Ocean City, US
August 25, 2026

Dogs allowed on Ocean City beaches

OCEAN CITY – As per local ordinance, dogs are permitted on the beach in Ocean City starting Thursday, Oct. 1, and continuing through April 30, 2021. Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time from May through September.

For the safety and enjoyment of all beachgoers, please remember that dogs must be leashed at all times. The police department has received a number of complaints in recent weeks about unleashed dogs. Officers will be patrolling beaches and have been instructed to take appropriate enforcement action regarding potential violations. Violators are subject to fines up to $500.

Ordinances also include the following provisions:

–  “Any dog off the property of either the owner or person exercising custody of such animal, shall be on a leash not exceeding six (6’) feet in length and of sufficient strength to restrain the dog. The leash shall be held by a person of sufficient strength and maturity so as to be capable of controlling the dog.”

–  “No dog, whether on a leash or not, shall be permitted on the boardwalk or any public platform, pavilion, ramp, or steps adjacent or leading thereto, nor shall any dog, whether on a leash or not, be permitted to be carried, carted, transferred, or transported by any person or in any object, on or above any portion of the boardwalk, or in any public platform, pavilion, ramp, or steps adjacent or leading thereto. No dog, whether on a leash or not, shall be permitted upon any publicly owned park or playground.”

– “From March 15 through April 30, dogs are not permitted: 1) In the area from the Longport Bridge to the terminal groin; and 2) In the area between 18th Street and 34th Street.”

Related articles

Citizens debate merits of wind turbine project

Council, mayor meet in executive session OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Council and Mayor Jay Gillian met in executive session during last week’s meeting to discuss plans to run power transmission lines across the resort as part of the the Ocean Wind 1 project. There was no discussion among council members at the meeting, but […]

Upper Township master plan topic at virtual meeting April 16

Way behind schedule, it affects Strathmere, B.L. England site and more By BILL BARLOW/Special to the Sentinel UPPER TOWNSHIP – Even before COVID-19 threw all plans into disarray, Upper Township’s work on its master plan was behind schedule. That includes consideration of proposed zoning changes for the beachfront Strathmere section of the township. The township […]