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Somerset Council: dog rules
Council-wide dog rules, beaches and named places
We've only partly added this council's dog rules. Check the source for the full order.
Partly added
- Right now each former district (Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset, Taunton Deane) keeps its own older dog order, so rules differ town to town. Follow the signs.
- Somerset Council is replacing them with two county-wide orders. The proposals: pick up after your dog everywhere, put your dog on a lead when an officer asks, no dogs in enclosed play areas, ornamental gardens, cemeteries and burial grounds, and leads at all times in busy places such as Vivary Park, Taunton.
- Beach rules at Burnham-on-Sea and nearby are on the Beaches layer.
Somerset Council is replacing the old district orders with two county-wide orders (pick-up and leads on request, plus dog exclusion zones). Town and parish councils sent in their lists in March 2026, with a public consultation in summer 2026.
Assistance dogs: most council dog orders and beach bans exempt assistance dogs, such as guide and hearing dogs. Check the source if you are unsure.
Beaches with dog rules
- Burnham-on-Sea (Jetty to Pavilion)Dogs banned all year
- Burnham-on-Sea (Jetty to Yacht Club, Pavilion to Maddocks Slade)Dogs banned 1 May to 30 September
- Berrow and Brean BeachesDogs on leads all year
Countryside
- Westhay Moor, GlastonburyFootpaths only
- Catcott reserves, BurtleFootpaths only