---
canonical: https://dogpolicies.com/places/central-park-san-mateo/
title: "Central Park (San Mateo): dog rules"
license: CC-BY-4.0
attribution: "DogPolicies, dogpolicies.com, CC BY 4.0, verified 2026-10-29"
verified_at: 2026-10-29
review_due: 2026-11-28
freshness: fresh
confirmed_by: none
uid: plc_77t1bhp2a9bdc2xp
json: https://dogpolicies.com/api/v1/places/central-park-san-mateo.json
---

Central Park (San Mateo) (San Mateo, CA): Yes, with restrictions. Off leash only on Fitzgerald Field, daily from 6 to 8 a.m., and in the trial off-leash area (open since May 1, 2023) from 6 a.m. to sunset. Leashed everywhere else in the park. Source: City of San Mateo, checked 2026-10-29. DogPolicies record: https://dogpolicies.com/places/central-park-san-mateo/ (CC BY 4.0; cite with link).

# Central Park (San Mateo)

**Yes, with restrictions. Off leash only on Fitzgerald Field, daily from 6 to 8 a.m., and in the trial off-leash area (open since May 1, 2023) from 6 a.m. to sunset. Leashed everywhere else in the park.**

Type: park. Location: San Mateo, San Mateo County, California. Managed by City of San Mateo.

## Rules

| Rule | Value | Source | Verified | Freshness |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dogs allowed | Yes, with restrictions | [1] | 2026-10-29 | fresh |
| Official restrictions | Off leash only on Fitzgerald Field, daily from 6 to 8 a.m., and in the trial off-leash area (open since May 1, 2023) from 6 a.m. to sunset. Leashed everywhere else in the park. | [1] | 2026-10-29 | fresh |
| Leash | Off leash allowed at certain times or seasons | [1] | 2026-10-29 | fresh |

## Rules to know

- Dogs must be leashed everywhere except a designated off-leash area during its hours (San Mateo Municipal Code 8.02.070). Leashed dogs are welcome in the city's other parks. [3]
- No more than three dogs per handler. [3]
- Keep your dog under voice command and watch it at all times; leave aggressive dogs at home. [3]
- Pick up after your dog; bags and trash cans are provided. [3]
- No food or treats. [3]
- Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated. Female dogs in heat are not allowed. [3]
- Closely supervise children under 14, and ask before they approach a dog. [3]
- Off-leash fields close in wet weather. [3]

## Sources

1. City of San Mateo, "Dog Parks & Off-Leash Areas" (government, checked 2026-10-29): https://cityofsanmateo.org/2332/Dog-Parks-Off-Leash-Areas
   > Central Park (Fitzgerald Field Only) | Mondays - Sundays | 6 a.m. | 8 a.m. ... The current trial at Central Park is open from May 1, 2023 until further notice. Hours: 6 a.m. - Sunset
2. City of San Mateo, "Location: map point on the city's Central Park facility page" (government, checked 2026-10-29): https://cityofsanmateo.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Central-Park-3
3. City of San Mateo, "Dog Parks & Off-Leash Areas" (government, checked 2026-10-29): https://cityofsanmateo.org/2332/Dog-Parks-Off-Leash-Areas
   > *Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times except when in the designated DOLA during permitted times. (SMMC 8.02.070) ... Dogs are allowed in our other parks, but must be kept on a leash. ... we enforce a “no more than 3 dogs per handler” rule. ... You should be in voice command of your dog at all times

Verified October 29, 2026; re-check due 2026-11-28. Freshness: fresh.
Corrections: https://dogpolicies.com/corrections/?place=central-park-san-mateo
Record: https://dogpolicies.com/places/central-park-san-mateo/ · JSON: https://dogpolicies.com/api/v1/places/central-park-san-mateo.json · Methodology: https://dogpolicies.com/methodology/