Long Beach approves pilot program for offseason beach access for dogs

Long Beach City Council unanimously approved an offseason pilot program requiring permits and leashes, while keeping the boardwalk off-limits to dogs.

Dogs are getting their day on the beach in Long Beach.

The City Council voted unanimously Nov. 4 to approve a pilot program allowing leashed dogs on the city’s beaches during the offseason, with permits required and rules covering cleanup, licensing and access.

The program’s seasonal window runs from Nov. 1 through April 15, 2027. Beach permits cost $25 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, in addition to the required dog license.

Dogs must remain leashed at all times, have a valid dog license and be current on rabies vaccinations. The beach permit must be attached to the dog’s collar.

Dogs will remain prohibited on the boardwalk. Owners and handlers must proceed directly to Ocean Beach Park and immediately pick up and properly dispose of all dog waste.

Violators could lose their beach privileges and face fines of up to $1,000.

The approval follows a debate that drew supporters and opponents to the council’s Oct. 20 meeting, when advocates submitted a petition bearing more than 1,900 names.

Supporters argued that the quieter offseason offered an opportunity to open the sand to dogs, with permit revenue helping cover enforcement costs. Opponents raised concerns about sanitation and whether the city could enforce the rules.

“I love dogs. I love this beach. I can’t understand any reason why we wouldn’t allow dogs on the beach at least on the off season,” resident Barbara Dillion said at the October meeting.

The program is temporary, and the City Council will review how the season goes before considering changes, according to discussion Wednesday night.

Before the pilot program, dogs were prohibited on the city’s beaches, with violations carrying fines ranging from $50 to $100.

For information about dog licenses and beach permits, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 516-431-1000, visit Room 307 at City Hall or go to longbeachny.gov.

Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters

---

Top: Photo by NaraJiva