Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. South Burlington requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under South Burlington Code § 6-79(a)(4). The set ticket for a first offense is $50, and $100 for a repeat.
What the South Burlington ordinance says
| Ordinance | South Burlington Code § 6-79(a)(4) (Disturbances and nuisances); civil penalties § 6-86 |
|---|---|
| Fine | $50 |
| Repeat offense | $100 |
| Must carry a bag | No |
| Service animal exemption | No |
How the penalty works
§ 6-86: civil penalties of $50 (first offense), $100 (second), $200 (third), $300 (fourth and later) on a rolling 12-month basis; waiver fees for those who do not contest are $25, $50, $100 and $200. Enforced through the state Judicial Bureau (§ 6-82), and a complaint may be dismissed after a restorative justice program.
The carry rule
No carry requirement. A dog or cat that defecates in any public area or on another person's property, when the owner does not immediately remove the fecal material and dispose of it in a sanitary manner, is a nuisance. Exemption: none stated for this subsection.
How South Burlington compares
At $50, the South Burlington ticket is lower than Burlington ($200), and the same as Rutland.
In practice
Pick up every time, bag it, and put it in a trash can. That is the one method that satisfies every ordinance in the country. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in Vermont
Vermont dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Burlington dog poop law · Rutland dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the South Burlington municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
