Dog Friendly Areas

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 Chicago Park District. 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 Chicago Park District 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:

1. A current dog license issued by the City of Chicago, or proof that the dog has a current rabies vaccination.
2. The owner must complete a Chicago Park District 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’s veterinarian:
   1. Distemper
   2. Hepatitis
   3. Para influenza; and
   4. Parvovirus
   5. Bordetella

   6. 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.

3. The owner must agree to abide by the Chicago Park District 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 Chicago Park District, 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 Chicago Park District DFA must have both a permit with them and a registration tag for each dog. The registration tag must be on the dog’s collar or harness. The permit and registration tag may be used at any officially sanctioned Chicago Park District 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 Chicago Park District 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.

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 Chicago Park District has supported the development of several Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs) to provide safe places for dogs to exercise, play, and socialize legally “off-leash.” The Chicago Park District works with the community to establish a DFA. The community is responsible for funding the cost.

For questions about establishing a DFA, please email us.