TRAIL MANNERS CLASS:
We're excited to announce that the Trail Manners course is now accessible online. This means you can fulfill the training requirement at your convenience and complete it whenever it suits you.
To obtain a Commercial Dog Walking Permit for walking dogs on Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) fire roads and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), you must complete a Trail Manners class or other training that meets the specific requirements of each governmental entity.
The online Trail Manners course, developed jointly by Trish King and the Marin Pet Care Association, lasts for over 2 hours. It includes secret words for you to note down and concludes with a quiz. The presentation is password protected. Upon successful completion of the class, you'll receive a certificate via email that is valid for both MCOSD and GGNRA.
The cost of the online Trail Manners training course is $100.
To access the Trail Manners training, please register by clicking here.
OPEN SPACE RULES AND REGULATIONS:
The rules and regulations outlined in the Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) Code aim to ensure visitor safety and protect natural resources. Recreational activities are permitted on open space lands only when they align with resource management objectives. Any activities that threaten or endanger visitors, the land, or the environment are prohibited. For commercial dog walkers, the following rules apply:
A maximum of six dogs per person is allowed.
Each person may not have more than three dogs off-leash at a time.
Commercial Activities: The following activities are prohibited on MCOSD lands without written permission from the MCOSD:
Selling, hawking, or peddling any goods, merchandise, or services.
Stationing or placing any stand, cart, or vehicle for the display of goods, merchandise, or services.
Distributing, circulating, or posting any handbill, pamphlet, or advertisement regarding the sale of goods, merchandise, or services.
Conducting any commercial photography or related activities.
Engaging in any commercial activities.
Dogs and Other Animals: The following rules apply to dogs and other domestic animals on MCOSD lands:
Dogs and other domestic animals are allowed when under the direct and immediate control of a responsible person.
Up to three dogs per individual are allowed, with exceptions beyond this number granted through a Special or Commercial Use Permit issued by the MCOSD General Manager.
On maintained and designated fire protection roads, up to three dogs off-leash per individual are allowed.
In all other areas, dogs and domestic animals must be on a leash not exceeding six feet in length.
Prohibited actions include:
Allowing dogs or other domestic animals to enter environmentally sensitive or restricted areas.
Allowing dogs or other domestic animals to interfere with, bother, or disturb other visitors.
Allowing dogs or other domestic animals to hunt, pursue, or harass other animals or wildlife.
Bringing or keeping noisy, vicious, or dangerous dogs or other animals.
Bringing or keeping dogs four months of age or older without proof of a valid rabies inoculation and license.
Failing to remove a dog or other domestic animal from the area when ordered by District personnel.
Allowing dog excrement to remain on MCOSD lands.
Bringing dogs or other domestic animals onto MCOSD lands without a leash not exceeding six feet in length, to be prepared to restrain the animals if necessary.
For more information, you can refer to the Marin County Parks website and the Marin County Municipal Code.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area RULES AND REGULATIONS:
When walking dogs in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), professional dog walkers must follow specific rules to ensure safety and compliance with park regulations. Here are the key rules:
Number of Dogs:
Professional dog walkers can walk a maximum of six dogs at one time.
Leash Requirements:
Dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet in length unless in a designated off-leash area.
Dogs must be under voice control if off-leash in designated areas.
Permitted Areas:
Dog walking is only allowed in designated areas of the park. These areas can vary, so it’s essential to check the latest maps and regulations provided by GGNRA.
Certain areas may have seasonal restrictions or specific rules that must be adhered to.
Permit Display:
The commercial dog walker badge must be visibly displayed at all times while walking dogs in the park.
Behavior and Control:
Dogs must be under control at all times to prevent disturbances to wildlife and other park visitors.
Clean up after the dogs and dispose of waste properly in designated trash receptacles.
Training and Compliance:
Follow the training and compliance requirements set by the counties of San Francisco and Marin, as outlined in the CDWSUP.
Ensure all dogs are licensed and vaccinated according to local regulations.
Other Restrictions:
Dogs are not allowed in certain sensitive habitats or areas designated for wildlife protection.
Avoid areas with heavy visitor traffic where dogs might cause disruptions.
General Conduct:
Respect other park visitors and maintain a safe distance to avoid conflicts.
Be aware of and comply with any temporary restrictions or alerts issued by the park authorities.
These rules are designed to ensure that dog walking activities do not negatively impact the park environment, wildlife, or the experience of other visitors (NPS Homepage) (National Park Service) (LII / Legal Information Institute) (NPS Homepage). For more detailed information and updates, you can visit the GGNRA's official website on commercial dog walking.