Cape Cod Dog Beach Rules — Printable Cheat Sheet
Last verified 2026-10-22 · capecoddogguide.com
| Town | Seasonal dog rules (from official source) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bourne | Dogs are not allowed on town beaches May 1 – October 15. Service dogs are always welcome. | Town of Bourne Beach Rules & Regulations (PDF) |
| Sandwich | Dogs are not allowed on any public beach (including freshwater beaches) or the Sandwich Boardwalk May 15 – September 15. Dogs are not allowed on saltwater town beaches April 1 – September 15. | Town of Sandwich General By-Laws (PDF) |
| Falmouth | Animals are not allowed on the beach or in beach parking lots May 1 – October 1, including pets left in parked vehicles. Service dogs permitted. | Town of Falmouth Beach Regulations |
| Mashpee | Town Code §54-7: no dogs on public beaches (no seasonal window stated). $50 fine per offense. South Cape Beach (state park): dogs not allowed on the beach April 1 – September 15. | Town of Mashpee Dog/Cat Control Regulations (PDF) Waquoit Bay Reserve – South Cape Beach |
| Barnstable | Dogs not allowed on any town beach or recreation area, including the parking lots, May 15 – September 15. Dogs must be leashed year-round in Barnstable. Sandy Neck: dogs allowed on hiking trails year-round on leash; not allowed past the Gatehouse May 15 – Sept 15 unless in a permitted vehicle headed to the ORV beach. | Barnstable Animal Control – Dogs on Beach Sandy Neck Beach Park policies (PDF) |
| Yarmouth | Dogs not allowed on Seagull Beach and Grey's Beach from April 1, and on all other beaches from May 15, through Labor Day. Dogs must be leashed at all times; no dogs on public boardwalks. | Town of Yarmouth park & beach rules (PDF) |
| Dennis | No animals on beaches, in beach parking areas, or in unattended vehicles in those lots from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Dogs prohibited when active piping plover nests are present ($100 fine). | Town of Dennis Beach Rules & Regulations |
| Brewster | Not yet verified — contact the town. | |
| Harwich | No animals on any town beach Memorial Day – Labor Day. Exception: Red River Beach parking lot only, at limited morning/evening hours (see source). | Town of Harwich Beach Rules (PDF, dated 3/2024) |
| Chatham | Dogs banned from beach areas May 1 – September 15 (service animals and police K-9 excepted). Jackknife Harbor Beach: dogs allowed before 9:00 am and after 6:00 pm during that period. Dogs barred from posted shorebird-nesting closures. | Town of Chatham Park & Recreation Rules (PDF), §1.6, §1.75 |
| Orleans | Nauset Beach (public beach, north of lot, and south of lot to Trail #1): dogs prohibited April 1 – Labor Day. South of Trail #1 to Chatham Inlet: leash (max 30 ft) required April 1 – Labor Day. Skaket Beach and Rock Harbor: dogs prohibited Friday before Memorial Day – Labor Day. Crystal Lake and Pilgrim Lake: dogs prohibited June 15 – Labor Day. | Town of Orleans – Dogs on the Beaches (PDF) Town of Orleans – Dogs on the Beaches (PDF) |
| Eastham | Dogs not allowed on bayside town beaches June 15 – Labor Day. Exception: beach at Dyer Prince Rd (Eastham side of Rock Harbor), on leash, before 9 AM and after 4 PM. Town-wide: dogs on leash or under voice control; pick up waste. | Town of Eastham Dog Rules (PDF) |
| Wellfleet | Dogs prohibited from lifeguarded portions of Newcomb Hollow, Cahoon Hollow, White Crest and Maguire Landing (LeCount Hollow) 9 am – 5 pm, 3rd Saturday in June – Labor Day, except to walk through. Prohibited year-round at Burton Baker, Indian Neck, Nauset Road, Mayo Beach and Powers Landing. Prohibited at Gull, Long, Great, Duck, Higgins, Spectacle and Dyer ponds and the Sluiceway May 15 – Oct 15. | Wellfleet Town Code ch. 111, Art. IV (eCode360) |
| Truro | Pets prohibited at all eleven town beaches 9 am – 6 pm in summer through Labor Day. Note: the town page's summary says the season starts the third Saturday in June, but the regulation text on the same page says the second Saturday in June — check before you go. April 1 – Aug 31, leash (≤6 ft) may be required at listed beaches near nesting shorebirds. | Town of Truro – Pet Closures (page updated Aug 6, 2026) |
| Provincetown | Memorial Day – Nov 1: dogs may be off-leash under voice and sight control on town beaches 6–9 am and 6–9 pm. Nov 2 – day before Memorial Day: off-leash 6 am – 9 pm. Restrained at all other times. | Town of Provincetown – Animal Control |
| National Seashore | Cape Cod National Seashore (Eastham–Provincetown): pets on a 6-ft leash where allowed. Not allowed on lifeguard-protected beaches in summer (may pass through on leash) or in posted shorebird areas (late March – mid-October). Leashed pets allowed on Doane Trail (Eastham), Pilgrim Spring Trail (Truro), all fire roads, and Head of the Meadow bike trail year-round; freshwater ponds Oct 16 – May 14 only. | National Park Service – Pets at Cape Cod National Seashore |