Dogs are banned from Palm Beach Gardens city parks. Where to take a dog instead: Jupiter's dog beach, county parks, dog parks and permitted restaurant patios.
Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Rules come from the City of Palm Beach Gardens GreenMarket rules page, which quotes city ordinance Section 46-14, and the city’s dog-friendly dining permit (City Code Sections 14-51 to 14-53), plus Palm Beach County Parks, the Town of Jupiter and the Village of North Palm Beach.
The first rule for dog owners in Palm Beach Gardens: dogs are not allowed in city parks. City ordinance Section 46-14 says no person shall bring or allow any pet or animal in any city park, except animals assisting people with disabilities. That covers District Park, the neighborhood parks and the Sunday GreenMarket at City Hall. For a walk, a run or a swim with your dog, you head to county parks, a neighboring town’s dog park or Jupiter’s dog beach.
Who to call
- City parks rules: Palm Beach Gardens Recreation Department, 561-630-1100
- Dog-friendly dining permits: City of Palm Beach Gardens, 561-799-4216
- Anchorage Park dog parks: Village of North Palm Beach, park page
- Loose or injured animals: Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, ordinance and services
Where dogs can and cannot go
| Place | Dogs? |
|---|---|
| City of Palm Beach Gardens parks and the GreenMarket | No, except service animals (Section 46-14) |
| Most Palm Beach County parks | Yes, on a leash no longer than six feet (county rules) |
| Palm Beach County beaches | No, except service animals |
| Riverbend Park and Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park, Jupiter | No, except service animals |
| Jupiter’s dog-friendly beach | Yes, off leash on the sand (town rules) |
| John D. MacArthur Beach State Park | Not on the beach, boardwalks or in the Nature Center (park rules) |
| The Gardens Mall | Small dogs in a carrier or stroller; service animals (code of conduct) |
| Restaurant patios in the city | Only with a city dog-friendly dining permit |
Jupiter’s dog beach
Jupiter, about six miles north, has one of the few dog-friendly beaches left in Florida, the town says. Its dog-friendly area is a 2.5-mile stretch from beach marker 26 at Marcinski Road north to beach marker 57 at the Carlin Park property line. The town’s rules:
- Bring only well-behaved, well-socialized dogs that respond to voice commands; dogs are not required to be leashed on the sand.
- Keep your dog leashed from the car to the beach, and consider a leash around small children.
- Supervise your dog and stay inside the dog-friendly boundaries.
- Pick up after your dog. Friends of Jupiter Beach provides waste bags at every crossover.
Dog parks
- Anchorage Park, 603 Anchorage Drive, North Palm Beach, about seven miles east: separate large-breed and small-breed dog parks, open sunrise to sunset. The village holds a dog costume contest there, the Boo Bark Bash, from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026.
- Palm Beach County dog parks: the county runs four off-leash dog parks, according to its dogs page. The nearest to Palm Beach Gardens is Pooch Pines at Okeeheelee Park, west of West Palm Beach. The others are Lake Woof at John Prince Park in Lake Worth, the Dog Park at Lake Ida in Delray Beach and Canine Cove west of Boca Raton.
Restaurant patios
Palm Beach Gardens lets restaurants admit dogs to outdoor seating only under its Dog-Friendly Dining Program, created by Ordinance No. 22, 2010, under Section 509.233 of Florida Statutes. A restaurant must hold a city permit for a specific outdoor area and set hours, and must post the rules, according to the permit application and code. On a permitted patio:
- Dogs stay on a leash and under reasonable control at all times.
- Dogs are not allowed on chairs, tables or other furniture.
- Dogs must not touch dishes, utensils, linens or other items used to serve food.
- Hand sanitizer is provided at every table in the dog area.
The city does not publish a list of permitted restaurants. Look for the posted rules sign in the outdoor area, or ask before you sit down.
Leash and care basics
- In county parks, a leash no longer than six feet.
- Palm Beach County requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies and to wear a county rabies and license tag, under Sections 4-10 and 4-11 of its animal care ordinance.
What this means for you
- Leave the dog at home for city parks, the GreenMarket and the city’s Fall Festival and tree lighting.
- For off-leash time, Jupiter’s beach or Anchorage Park in North Palm Beach are the closest options.
- Want to eat out with your dog? Ask whether the restaurant has a city dog-friendly dining permit.
More: parks and trails and walking and biking trails.
Frequently asked questions
Are dogs allowed in Palm Beach Gardens parks?
No. City ordinance Section 46-14 bars pets and animals from every city park, including the GreenMarket at City Hall. Service animals are the only exception.
Where is the nearest dog beach to Palm Beach Gardens?
Jupiter’s dog-friendly beach runs about 2.5 miles from beach marker 26 at Marcinski Road north to marker 57 at the Carlin Park line. Dogs may be off leash on the sand but must be leashed from the car.
Can I bring my dog to a restaurant patio in Palm Beach Gardens?
Only where the restaurant holds a city dog-friendly dining permit. Dogs must stay on a leash and off chairs and tables in the designated outdoor area.
Is there a dog park near Palm Beach Gardens?
North Palm Beach’s Anchorage Park, 603 Anchorage Drive, has large-breed and small-breed dog parks. Palm Beach County’s nearest dog park is Pooch Pines at Okeeheelee Park, west of West Palm Beach.
Can dogs go in The Gardens Mall?
Small dogs are allowed if they stay in a pet carrier or stroller, and service animals are permitted, according to the mall’s code of conduct.
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