Beach Rules and Regulations for Dogs

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a popular destination for both humans and their furry friends. While many towns welcome dogs, it's important to be aware of specific rules and regulations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone. Each town has slightly different laws to follow, so be sure to be prepared when planning your next family vacation!

Looking for a pup-friendly restaurant to visit while you're in town? Be sure to visit our blog post highlighting all of the best dog-friendly restaurant options on the Outer Banks!

When visiting the beaches in Corolla, be sure to have your leash with you.  There aren't any length requirements in place, however, your dog must remain on a leash at all times, regardless of the time of year.

Check out our pet friendly homes in Corolla here:

Pet Friendly in Corolla

Dogs are allowed and welcome on the beach any time of the year in Duck.  Leashes are not required, however, should always be watched  by their owner at all times.

Check out our pet friendly homes in Duck here:

Pet Friendly in Duck

Dogs are welcome on the beach during the off-season (mid-September to mid-May) in Southern Shores.  Leashes are required at all times.  From May 15- September 15, dogs are not allowed on the beach.

Check out our pet-friendly homes in Southern Shores by clicking here: Pet Friendly in Southern Shores

Dogs are allowed on the beaches in Kitty Hawk during all times during the year, however, there are restrictions during the summer season:

-From the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day, dogs are only allowed on the beaches with a leash of 6ft or less. 

-During the off-season, dogs are allowed to be on the beach any time with a leash up to 12ft in length.

Dogs are allowed on the beach in Kill Devil Hills year-round, however, there are some seasonal restrictions:

From mid-May to mid-September, dogs are only allowed on the beach from the hours of 6pm to 9am and must be on a leash.

During the off-season, dogs are welcome during on the beach any time of the day with a leash.

Leashes are required all year.

Check out our pet friendly homes in Kill Devil Hills here:

Pet Friendly in Kill Devil Hills

Dogs are welcome on the beaches in Nags Head, year-round, as long as they remain on a leash that does not exceed 10ft in length.

Check out the pet-friendly homes in Nags Head here:

Pet Friendly in Nags Head

• Be sure to keep plenty of clean water on hand.  Even on a cloudy day, dogs can quickly overheat during the summer months, so keeping them hydrated allows them to cool off quickly.
• Even though many dogs think the ocean is a big bowl of water to drink, salt water is actually dangerous to ingest large amounts of causing stomach problems.  Avoid letting them drink from the water and steer them towards clean water instead.
• Avoid walking your dog on the sand during the middle of the day as the sand temperatures can be too hot for their paws.  If it is too hot for your feet, chances are that its too hot for the dogs too!  Save beach trips for the early or later parts of the day, or equip them with booties or socks to protect their feet from getting burned.
• Check their paws for sand spurs, which are prickly and very sharp objects that can get caught up in fur and between the toes making it very uncomfortable to walk on!
• If your dog enjoys swimming in the water, keep an eye out for rip currents and rough water.  They are able to get swept away in a rip current just as easy as a person, so don't let them get too far out of reach.