Norfolk has 13 city dog parks, 7 of them fenced. Beach dog rules, leash and license rules, the Hermitage gardens and dog nights at the botanical garden.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from the city’s dog parks, beaches and animal licenses pages, Norfolk Botanical Garden, the Hermitage Museum and Gardens and the businesses named, each linked.

Norfolk runs 13 dog parks: seven fenced, where dogs can play off leash, and six unfenced, where they must stay leashed. Every dog in the city needs a city license from 4 months old. In summer, dogs are banned from the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Who to call

  • Aggressive or loose dog, Animal Control: 757-441-5505
  • After hours, animal emergency: Police non-emergency, 757-441-5610
  • Dog licenses: 757-664-7810, or license online
  • Dog parks and city parks: Norfolk Parks and Recreation, 757-823-4291

City dog parks

From the city’s dog parks page and each park’s listing (map of locations, PDF):

Dog park Address Fenced?
Colonial Greenway Dog Park 405 Delaware Ave. Fenced
Granby Street Dog Walk 400 Granby St. Fenced
Lafayette Dog Park 1270 Lafayette Blvd. Fenced
Maple Avenue Dog Park 176 Maple Ave. Fenced
Meadowbrook Dog Park 1625 W. Little Creek Road Fenced
Stockley Gardens Dog Park 1300 Stockley Gardens Fenced
Tait Terrace Dog Park 2717 Tait Terrace Fenced
Berkley Dog Park 500 Culpepper St. Unfenced, leash required
Brambleton Dog Park 1306 Corprew Ave. Unfenced, leash required
Cambridge Crescent Dog Park 6125 Carroll Place Unfenced, leash required
Gleneagles Dog Park Daniel Avenue and Hampton Boulevard Unfenced, leash required
Hague Dog Park Colley Avenue and West Brambleton Avenue Unfenced, leash required
Winona Dog Park 3400 Norway Place Unfenced, leash required

Dog park rules:

  • Dogs must wear valid rabies and city license tags.
  • Owners stay with their dogs and pick up after them.
  • No more than three dogs per owner; no dogs in heat; puppies must be older than 4 months.
  • Dogs are leashed going into and out of unfenced parks.
  • Aggressive dogs must leave at once; owners are legally responsible for injuries and damage their dogs cause.

Beaches

From the city’s beaches page: no dogs on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. The rest of the year, and outside those hours in summer, keep dogs on a leash of 8 feet or less and pick up after them.

Leashes and licenses

  • Leash: the city’s rules require leashes in unfenced dog parks and set an 8-foot maximum on the beach. Norfolk’s animal ordinances are in Chapter 6.1 of the city code; state law lets cities ban dogs from running at large (Va. Code § 3.2-6538).
  • License: required for every dog and cat living in Norfolk from 4 months old. Bring a current rabies certificate; proof of spaying or neutering lowers the fee (animal licenses).

Dog-friendly outings

  • Hermitage Museum and Gardens, 7637 North Shore Road: leashed dogs are welcome in the gardens but not inside the museum. Free admission and free parking; open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (visit).
  • Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Road: Dog Days on Sundays and Wednesdays in the fall and winter season (visit), and Barks and Bulbs on Wednesday and Sunday evenings during the Garden of Lights, Nov. 6, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027 (Garden of Lights).
  • Elizabeth River Trail: a 10.5-mile walking and biking route through the city; see our walking and biking trails guide.
  • Elation Brewing, 5104 Colley Ave.: advertises a dog-friendly sunset patio (elationbrewing.com).
  • Virginia Zoo: dogs are not allowed on regular days, but the zoo holds a dog day each fall, Howl-o-ween, for registered, vaccinated dogs; in 2026 it is Oct. 30 (zoo).

Adopt

Norfolk Animal Care Center, 5585 Sabre Road, is the city shelter. Its Friends group holds adoption events such as Heroes and Hounds; see the city’s animal care center page.

What this means for you

  • Renew your dog’s city license each year; tags are required in dog parks.
  • In summer, walk the beach before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m., on a leash.

Related guides: parks and trails, walking and biking trails and free things to do in Norfolk.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the fenced dog parks in Norfolk?

The city’s fenced, off-leash dog parks are Colonial Greenway, Granby Street Dog Walk, Lafayette, Maple Avenue, Meadowbrook, Stockley Gardens and Tait Terrace. Its other parks are unfenced, and dogs must stay leashed there.

Are dogs allowed on Norfolk beaches?

Not from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Other times, dogs must be on a leash of 8 feet or less and owners must pick up after them.

Do dogs need a license in Norfolk?

Yes. Every dog and cat living in Norfolk needs a city license from 4 months old, and a current rabies certificate is required to get one. License online through PetData or call 757-664-7810.

Can I bring my dog to Norfolk Botanical Garden?

On Dog Days, Sundays and Wednesdays in the fall and winter season, and on Barks and Bulbs nights during the Garden of Lights, Wednesday and Sunday evenings.