Long Beach Dogs Get the Sand Until April 15, and This Winter Decides What Comes Next

On November 4, the Long Beach City Council voted unanimously to let leashed dogs onto Ocean Beach Park for the offseason. Until then, dogs were banned from the city's beaches all year. The new window runs November 1, 2026 through April 15, 2027, which leaves about five months of winter walks on the sand.

The key word in the council's vote is "pilot." As Greater Long Island reported, the program is temporary, and the council plans to review how the season goes before it considers any changes. Every permit tag, leash and bag of waste this winter feeds into that review.

How a Beach Ban Became a Pilot in Two Weeks

It started with residents. At the October 20 council meeting, City Manager Dan Creighton said the city had received a petition with more than 1,600 signatures, according to the Long Beach Herald. Nearly 20 people spoke in favor that night. Many of them proposed dog-specific permits and set beach-access times.

Resident Barbara Dillion made the case simply, as quoted by Greater Long Island: "I love dogs. I love this beach. I can't understand any reason why we wouldn't allow dogs on the beach at least on the off season."

Not everyone in the room agreed. Opponents raised concerns about sanitation and about whether the city could enforce the rules. Supporters answered that the quieter offseason was the right time to open the sand, and that permit revenue could help pay for enforcement.

Council member George Ennis spoke to both sides at the November 4 vote. "This is a pilot program," he said, according to Greater Long Island. "I'm a dog owner myself as many of you there, but I understand the concerns and we'll be doing everything we possibly can to make sure people are complainant and follow the rules."

The Fine Went Up as the Gate Opened

The penalties show how much weight the city puts on compliance. Under the old ban, a dog on the beach carried a fine of $50 to $100. Under the pilot, the City of Long Beach announcement warns that violations can bring fines of up to $1,000, and the City Clerk's rules let the city revoke a permit for breaking any of them.

So dogs now have more access, and the top penalty is ten times the old maximum. The city tied permission and accountability together, and the season's record will show the council how that worked out.

Two Tags on One Collar: Getting Set Up

The paperwork goes in a set order, because the beach permit requires proof of a current dog license.

1. License the dog first. Long Beach residents need a City dog license, which the City Clerk issues. Nonresidents get theirs from their own city, town or village hall. The City's dog license page says a license can be issued for up to three years when the rabies certificate covers that term.
2. Check the rabies date. Every dog on the beach must be current on rabies vaccination and wear a valid New York State dog license.
3. Apply for the beach permit. The application is at the bottom of the City Clerk's Dog On Beach page. Bring it to Room 307 at City Hall, 1 West Chester Street, or mail it there with proof of licensing.
4. Pay the right way. The application says mailed applications need a check or money order. Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted in person only, and fees are nonrefundable.
5. Attach both tags. The beach permit has to be fixed to the dog's collar, next to the state license tag.

City Hall keeps 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. business hours from September 16 through June 30, and the city recommends making an appointment. The City Clerk's Office phone number is 516-431-1000.

Here is what a season costs, per dog. The license fee is separate from the beach permit:

For a resident with a spayed or neutered dog, the first season comes to $40. With a new three-year license, the next two seasons cost $25 each for the permit, as long as the council renews the program.

These rules come straight from the City's posted pages. This post is general information, not legal advice, so call the City Clerk's Office to confirm anything about your own dog and paperwork.

Ramp to Ramp, and Off the Boardwalk

Once the tags are on, the rule that matters most on a winter morning is how you get to the sand. The City's rule reads:

Owners and handlers shall proceed directly to and from Ocean Beach Park with their dogs. Walking dogs on the boardwalk is strictly prohibited.

The City's announcement puts it more plainly: dogs may enter and exit the beach only from ramp directly to ramp. That means the boardwalk you might otherwise walk on a cold, bright Sunday stays off-limits. Pick the ramp closest to your block, go straight down, and come back up the same way.

The other rules are short:

• Dogs stay leashed the whole time they are on Ocean Beach Park.
• An owner or handler of suitable age has to be with every dog.
• Waste goes straight into the designated receptacles.

These are the same sanitation and enforcement questions opponents raised on October 20. Following the rules is also how dog owners answer those concerns before the council looks back on the season.

The Rest of the Winter Dog Routine

The beach is now one stop in a dog's week, alongside the places local owners already use.

• The temporary dog park on Park Place. It sits just east of Posh Pets Rescue and is open dawn to dusk. The old dog park by the Long Beach Recreation Center, reached from Pine Street on the National Boulevard side, is closed, according to the City's parks page. On a day when the leash-only beach feels confining, this is the off-leash option.
• Groomin Tails Pet Salon, 953 W Beech St. A local grooming salon in the West End, useful after a sandy, salty morning walk.
• All Creatures Veterinary Services, 733 West Park Avenue. A local vet, and a convenient place to pull up rabies records before you apply for the permit.
• Bright Eye Beer Co., 50 W Park Ave. A pet-friendly taproom across from the LIRR station and a block from the beach. Bright Eye is close enough that a walk on the sand and a stop at the taproom fit into one afternoon.

April 15, 2027 is when the permit window closes. After that, the City Council decides whether dogs get another offseason on Ocean Beach Park.

We love this side of Long Beach too: the quiet winter beach, the neighbors who turned out for a petition, and a dog's first run on the sand after years of "no dogs allowed." If you're new in town and figuring out your dog's routine, or you're weighing a move and want to know how everyday life works here in the offseason, the team at Lucky To Live Here is glad to share what we know. Contact Us anytime.