DFA Permit
All Chicago Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs) require an annual permit for each dog.
🎫 Permit Details
- Cost: $10 per dog per year
- Valid: January 1 through December 31
- Where to get it: 80+ participating veterinary offices across Chicagoland
- No daily or visitor passes available
💉 Required Vaccinations
- Rabies (current)
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Parainfluenza
- Parvovirus
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- Leptospirosis
📋 Additional Requirements
- Veterinary exam within the past year
- Fecal test for internal parasites
- Current City of Chicago dog license or proof of rabies vaccination
- Completed permit application
City Dog Registration
All dogs over 4 months old in Chicago must be registered with the City Clerk's Office.
💰 Registration Fees
- Sterilized: $5/year ($2.50 senior discount) or $50/3 years
- Non-sterilized: $50/year ($5 senior discount) or $150/3 years
- Requires proof of current rabies vaccination
📞 How to Register
- Online, by mail, or in person
- City Clerk's Office
- Phone: 312-744-DOGS (3647)
Park Rules
🕐 Hours
- 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM daily (7 days/week)
- Exception: Bennett Park Dog Park is open 24 hours
✅ Required Behavior
- Dogs must be leashed before entering and upon leaving
- Gates must remain closed except during entry/exit
- Owners must clean up immediately
- Maximum 3 dogs per person
- Owners are liable for all injuries caused by their dogs
🚫 Not Allowed
- Dogs with dangerous behavior history
- No food (human or dog) inside DFAs
- Puppies under 4 months
- Female dogs in heat
- Children under 12 without an adult
⚠️ Fines & Enforcement
- Failure to clean up: up to $500 fine
- Enforced by Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control
- Park Security: 312-747-2193