How Highlands Ranch’s HOA Rules Affect Pet Owners (Leash Laws, Waste Rules & More)

If you call Highlands Ranch home, you’ve probably noticed our community runs a little differently than many Colorado neighborhoods. Since Highlands Ranch is unincorporated, the rules you’d normally expect from “the city” are actually split between two organizations: the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA), which handles covenants and community standards, and the Highlands Ranch Metro District (HRMD), which manages the parks, trails, and open space where you and your pup spend your time together. Add in the fact that many individual neighborhoods have their own sub-HOA rules on top of all that, and it’s easy to see why pet owners sometimes aren’t sure exactly what applies to them.

We put this guide together to make it simple. Here’s what you need to know.

Leash Laws: Not Just a Suggestion

Dogs are welcome throughout Highlands Ranch’s parks, open space, and trails, but there’s a catch: they need to be on a leash. This holds true across our trail system and open space, whether you’re out in the Backcountry Wilderness Area or a quiet neighborhood path — off-leash time is for designated dog parks only.

Highlands Ranch is home to four dog parks:

  • Rover’s Run at Redstone Park
  • Hound Hill Dog Park at Heritage Regional Park
  • David A. Lorenz Regional Bark Park
  • Fido’s Field at Foothill Park

At all four parks, dogs must be leashed entering and exiting, and must be under voice control once inside. Owners are required to carry a leash at all times, and aggressive dogs or dogs in season aren’t permitted.

What this means for your walks: whether it’s us or you on the other end of the leash, your dog should be leashed for the entire route — not just when other people or pets come into view.

Waste Rules: More Than Just Courtesy

Here’s one that catches a lot of newer residents off guard: picking up after your dog in Highlands Ranch isn’t just good manners, it’s an enforceable rule. Owners who don’t clean up after their pet can be issued a summons and fined.

There’s a real reason behind it, too. A large portion of our water supply comes from surface water that flows through the community’s open space drainage ways, so pet waste left behind can introduce bacteria like giardia, salmonella, and E. coli into that system. It’s a great reminder to always keep waste bags on hand — we make sure every one of our walkers does.

HRCA Property Has Its Own Rules

Aside from trained service animals, pets generally aren’t allowed inside HRCA recreation centers or on HRCA property. So while our four rec centers are a great neighborhood perk, they’re not a spot to bring your dog along, even for a quick stop.

Your Specific Neighborhood May Have Its Own Rules, Too

This is the part we always flag for new clients: HRCA’s community-wide covenants mostly cover things like exterior home improvements, not pet specifics. But many individual neighborhoods, townhome communities, and condo associations within Highlands Ranch layer on their own, much more detailed pet policies — and they can look very different from one community to the next. It’s common to see:

  • A cap on the number of pets per household
  • Weight or breed restrictions
  • A requirement to register your pet with the HOA office
  • Rules about where pets can be on your own property, like patios or shared common areas

If your home is part of a sub-HOA, it’s worth a quick look at your own governing documents rather than assuming the community-wide rules are the whole story.

We’ve Got You Covered

At Calico Pet Sitting, Ltd., staying on top of these layered rules isn’t an afterthought — it’s built into how we train and operate from the very beginning. Every one of our pet sitters and dog walkers learns Highlands Ranch’s leash and waste requirements on day one, right alongside the basics of pet first aid, safe handling, and neighborhood-specific etiquette. So whether we’re walking your dog through Redstone Park or making a midday visit to your townhome near Civic Green Park, you can trust that our team already knows the rules before we ever knock on your door.

That local know-how is part of a bigger promise we make to every client. Our professionals are fully background-checked, insured, and genuinely love animals — not just as a job requirement, but because it’s why most of us got into this work in the first place. Whether you need a quick daily walk to keep your dog’s energy in check, a full pet-sitting stay while you’re traveling, or ongoing visits for cats, small animals, or multi-pet households, we tailor our services to fit your pet’s routine and your peace of mind. We show up on time, we follow your instructions to the letter, and we treat your home and your pet with the same care we’d want for our own.

Have questions or interested in our services?

Reach out to us anytime at calicopetsitting.com — where you can request a phone consultation, browse our full range of services, and contact our team directly. We’re excited to meet you and your pet!