Dog friendly areas are designated sections within Chicago parks or beaches, where dogs are allowed to run and play off-leash, the only areas in the city where this is allowed. Until the creation of these areas, dogs were only allowed in the city鈥檚 parks on a leash. Many of these sites provide features such as doggie drinking fountains, separate areas for shy dogs, dog owner bulletin boards, trash receptacles and extra doggie bags.
The owner or other responsible person bringing any dog into a dog friendly area must have a permit and tag issued by a participating Veterinarian for each dog. Please be responsible when using these areas by following the policies and procedures for 快播视频 Dog Friendly Areas as listed below.
We hope your dog enjoys running, playing and socializing with other dogs in one of these spaces.
Learn more about rules and regulations, permits and tags, Vet offices to get permits, FAQs, and how to establish a dog friendly area in your neighborhood below.
Dog Friendly Areas
Rules and Regulations
- Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by their dogs.
- Owners must remain with and watch their dogs at all times.
- Dogs must be leashed prior to and upon leaving the DFA. Gates to the DFAs must remain closed except upon entering and exiting the DFA.
- Owners must immediately clean up after their dogs. Owners who fail to clean up after their dogs are subject to a fine of up to $500.00 (City of Chicago Ordinance 7-12-420).
- Dogs with a known history of, or who exhibit, dangerous behaviors are prohibited.
- Dogs must be healthy, fully immunized, dewormed, licensed and comply with the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control Regulation for 快播视频 DFAs.
- No dog will be allowed in a DFA unless it has a current rabies vaccination.
- Dog owners are responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of the DFA.
- No Food (human or dog food) is allowed inside the DFA
- Owners or other responsible persons must have a DFA permit with them for each dog visiting the DFA.
- DFA permits are valid from January 1 through December 31 each year.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult; younger children must be closely supervised.
- Only three dogs per person allowed.
- Puppies under four months old and female dogs in heat are prohibited.
- Failure to comply with the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control Regulation for 快播视频 DFAs can result in a fine of up to $500.00.
Permits and Tags
The Administrator of the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control mandated that the Park District issue permits for all off-leash dogs using Dog Friendly Areas. This regulation will be enforced by Deputies of the Department of Animal and Rabies Control. Any patron using a DFA without a permit is subject to a $500 fine.
The owner or other responsible person bringing any dog into a DFA must have a permit and tag issued by a participating Veterinarian for each dog. The veterinarian will issue a permit for any dog when the dog鈥檚 owner or other person responsible for the dog shows the following:
- The owner or other responsible person produces a current dog license issued by the City of Chicago, or proof that the dog has a current rabies vaccination.
- The owner must complete a 快播视频 Dog Friendly Area Permit Application for each dog. The owner shall provide written proof acceptable to the Park District showing that a licensed veterinarian (or other authorized person) has performed a fecal test for parasites and vaccinated any dog entering a DFA for the following diseases:
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Para influenza; and
- Parvovirus
- Bordetella
-
Leptospirosis
(Current titers where applicable will also be acceptable) After issuance of a permit, the dog owner is responsible for keeping immunizations a thru f above current.
- The owner must agree to abide by the 快播视频 Rules and Regulations of a Dog Friendly Area.
Where to Get a Permit In Chicago
Dog Friendly Area Permit Applications are available at participating veterinarian offices (see list below). The 快播视频, with the cooperation of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, developed a process for distributing permits for our Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs). Permits are available at the offices of participating veterinarians for a cost of $10 per dog.
Abell Animal Hospital
6032 N. Northwest Hwy., Chicago IL 60631
(773) 631-6727
Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic, PC
3235 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago IL 60618
(773) 442-6500
Animal Care Center of Chicago
1248 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago IL 60607
(312) 243-6655
Animal House of Chicago
2752 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago IL 60625
(773) 878-8002
Animal Medical Center of Chicago
1618 W. Diversey, Chicago IL 60614
(773) 525-3353
Animal Medical Center
8343 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie IL 60077
(847) 673-2616
Beverly Hills Animal Hospital
10359 S. Western Ave., Chicago IL 60643
(773) 779-7790
Blum Animal Hospital
3219 N. Clark St., Chicago IL 60657
(773) 327-4446
Bramer Animal Hospital Ltd
1021 Davis Street, Evanston IL 60201
(847) 864-1700
Brighton Park Animal Hospital
3779 S. Archer Ave., Chicago IL 60632
(773) 254-1111
Broadway Animal Hospital
6320 N. Broadway, Chicago IL 60660
(773) 262-5445
Bronzeville Animal Hospital
203 E. 31st St., Chicago IL 60616
(312) 949-1838
Burnham Park Animal Hospital
1025 S. State St., Chicago IL 60605
(312) 663-9200
Cermak Animal Clinic
6911 West Cermak Road, Berwyn IL 60402
(708) 484-0101
Chicago Pet Clinic
3510 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago IL 60641
(773) 283-4627
Chicago Veterinary Care
441 W. Roslyn Pl., Apt. 1E., Chicago IL 60614
(312) 371-9839
Clark n Oak Animal Health Center
1009 N Clark St., Chicago IL 60610
(312) 951-8000
Compassionate Veterinary Care
620 W. Webster Ave., Chicago IL 60614
(773) 327-5024
Cragin Animal Hospital
3042 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago IL 60641
(773) 777-4400
Delta Animal Hospital
2105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago IL 60622
(773) 278-6019
Diversey Animal Hospital
5540 W. Diversey, Chicago IL 60639
(773) 283-0827
Duke Animal Hospital
3941 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago IL 60613
(773) 627-4200
Elk Grove Pet Clinic
615 Meacham Rd., Elk Grove Village IL 60007
(847) 524-8387
Elmwood Grove Animal Hospital
8035 W. Grand Ave., River Grove IL 60171
(708) 456-6700
Family Pet Animal Hospital
1401 W. Webster, Chicago IL 60614
(773) 935-2311
Forest Glen Animal Hospital
5324 N. Elston Ave., Chicago IL 60630
(773) 283-2883
Fox Animal Hospital
2107 Crawford Ave., Evanston IL 60201
(847) 869-4900
Fullerton Animal Clinic
4303 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago IL 60639
(773) 227-7600
Furnetic/Chicago Center for Veterinary
Med 2242 W. Harrison, Suite 101 Chicago IL 60612
(312) 226-2588
Heal Veterinary Clinic
4108 N. Rockwell, Chicago IL 60618
(773) 888-5091
Higgins Animal Clinic
1705 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago IL 60657
(773) 525-0472
Hyde Park Animal Clinic
1363 East 53rd Street, Chicago IL 60615
(773) 324-4484
Illiana Veterinary
16259 Van Dam Rd., South Holland IL 60473
(708) 331-4640
Ivy Veterinary Care
3401 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago IL 60618
(773) 815-1515
Janda Veterinary Hospital
5005 W. Cermak, Cicero IL 60804
(708) 863-4008
Jewell Animal Hospital
4501 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago IL 60625
(773) 271-1901
Lincoln Park Dog and Cat
2665 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago IL 60614
(773) 549-2090
Logan Square Animal Hospital
2543 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago IL 60657
(773) 384.1138
Marquette Animal Hospital
4227 W.63rd St., Chicago IL 60629
(773) 585-8350
Mayfair Animal Clinic
4314 N. Elston, Chicago IL 60641
(773) 478-1868
McKillip Animal Hospital
2867 N. Clark St., Chicago IL 60657
(773) 248-7266
Metropolitan Veterinary Center
1556 S. Michigan #1100, Chicago IL 60605
(312) 583-1921
Mid North Animal Hospital
2212 N. Halsted, Chicago IL 60614
(773) 929-0777
Milaknis Animal Hospital
5638 N. Western Ave., Chicago IL 60659
(773) 561-1433
My Neighborhood Vet
6927 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood IL 60712
(847) 213-0600
My Vet Animal Hospital
1643 W. Cortland, Chicago IL 60622
(773) 235-8387
Near North Animal Hospital LTD
1207 N. Wells, Chicago IL 60610
(312) 944-5350
North Ave. Animal Hospital
1901 W. North Ave., Chicago IL 60622
(773) 278-1330
North Center Animal Hospital
1808 W. Addison St., Chicago IL 60613
(773) 327-5050
Northwest Animal Hospital
2024 S. River Road, Des Plaines IL 60018
(847) 296-3112
Norwood Park Animal Hospital
4321 N. Harlem Ave., Norridge IL 60706
(708) 457-0066
Pets First Veterinary Clinic
3413 N. Broadway, Chicago IL 60657
(773) 904-8724
Pulaski Animal Hospital
5424 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago IL 60632
(773) 735-2112
Ravenswood Animal Hospital
2752 W. Montrose, Chicago IL 60618
(773) 539-7387
Riser Animal Hospital
5335 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie IL 60077
(847) 673-2520
Roscoe Village Animal Hospital
3131 N. Clybourn, Chicago IL 60618
(773) 549-3131
The Royal Treatment Veterinary Spa
4130 N. Rockwell, Chicago IL 60618
(773) 267-9966
Terry Animal Hospital
1419 Lake Ave., Wilmette IL 60091
(847) 256-1131
Touhy Animal Hospital
2311 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge IL 60068
(847) 698-3123
Urban Veterinary Care
2930 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago IL 60657
(773) 388-0400
Veterinary Home Health Care
5000 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Chicago IL 60639
(773) 237-8230
VCA Lake Shore AH
960 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago IL 60642
(312) 738-3322
Wagnolia Veterinary Clinic
4600 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite AB, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 654-1539
West Loop Veterinary Care
815 W. Randolph, Chicago IL 60607
(312) 421-2275
West Suburban Animal Hospital
518 N. Warwick, Westmont IL 60559
(630) 968-4212
West Wrigley Animal Hospital LLC
3416 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago IL 60657
(773) 528-8387
Wicker Park Veterinary Clinic
1166 N. Milwaukee, Chicago IL 60642
(773) 227-9700
Woodlawn Animal Hospital
6523 S. King Drive, Chicago IL 60631
(773) 288-3744
Wright Animal Hospital
265 River Road, Des Plaines IL 60016
(847) 299-0135
Your Pets Wellness
2319 N. Damen Ave, Chicago IL 60647
(773) 697-8176
Updated February 2025
Updated June 2024
Dog Friendly Areas FAQs
The permit and tag fee is a total of $10.00.
Any permit and registration tag will be valid only for a single season no matter when purchased. A single season is defined as the period running from January 1st of any year through December 31st of the same year.
There will not be a sliding scale. All visitors must follow the same procedures for obtaining a permit and tag.
Permits and tags are available at participating Chicagoland veterinary offices. If you are an out-of-state resident you have the option of contacting a participating veterinary office. Most of the Chicagoland veterinarians will assist those whose own vets are not participating. You should call them first to confirm that they will assist you, what paperwork is necessary to obtain the permit and tag, and to determine how much they charge for an office visit. You can also have your own veterinarian purchase the tag on your behalf from the 快播视频. They can contact us at 312-742-4687. View the list of participating Chicagoland veterinary offices above
Permits and tags are available year round at Chicagoland participating veterinarians.
There are no visitor or day passes. Any visitor wishing to bring their pet to a 快播视频 Dog Friendly Area must follow the same procedures for obtaining a permit and tag.
Pursuant to regulations under the Cook County Ordinance, dog owners must show:
- A current dog license issued by the City of Chicago, or proof that the dog has a current rabies vaccination.
- The owner must complete a 快播视频 Dog Friendly Area Permit Application for each dog. The owner shall provide written proof acceptable to the Park District showing that a licensed veterinarian (or other authorized person) has performed a fecal test for parasites and vaccinated any dog entering a DFA for the following diseases unless an exemption to this requirement has been granted by the Administrator upon the written recommendation from the Owner鈥檚 veterinarian:
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Para influenza; and
- Parvovirus
- Bordetella
-
Leptospirosis
(Current titers where applicable will also be acceptable) After issuance of a permit, the dog owner is responsible for keeping immunizations a thru f above current.
- The owner must agree to abide by the 快播视频 Rules and Regulations of a Dog Friendly Area.
The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control will enforce DFA rules and regulations and issue tickets to violators. Violators, along with the 快播视频, will face a possible fine of $500. Dog owners must carry their permits at all times when attending DFAs. Each DFA will have a sign posted at the entrance stating all DFA rules and regulations.
If the Veterinarian has proof of original purchase, the Park District will supply a replacement tag.
Pursuant to a regulation issued by the Administrator of the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control, all dogs entering a DFA must have a permit and registration tag from a licensed veterinarian. People who bring dogs into a 快播视频 DFA must have both a permit with them and a registration tag for each dog. The registration tag must be on the dog鈥檚 collar or harness. The permit and registration tag may be used at any officially sanctioned 快播视频 DFA. The tag helps other users of the Dog Friendly Areas be comfortable that your dog is healthy and helps you to see that their dog is healthy.
The 快播视频 does not seek out areas to develop Dog Friendly Areas (DFA). If a community decides they wish to have a DFA, they must follow the Guidelines for Developing a Dog Friendly Area.
Yes. The Community is responsible for funding the cost which is at a minimum $150,000.
Establishing a Dog Friendly Area
A City of Chicago ordinance requires dogs to be on leashes in public areas for the protection of fellow residents, as well as the dogs themselves. To offer all the dogs in the city some room to move, the 快播视频 has supported the development of several Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs) to provide safe places for dogs to exercise, play, and socialize legally 鈥渙ff-leash.鈥
For questions about establishing a DFA, please email us.