Public space protection orders for dogs proposed amendments and extension 2025
Overview
Adur & Worthing Councils request your views on the renewal and extension of public space protection orders (PSPOs) relating to dogs.
The current dog related PSPOs expire on 17th December 2025 and we are now looking to renew them for a further three years until 17th December 2028.
In summary, both councils' dog related PSPOs currently cover:
- Fouling of land by dogs:
Requires dog owners to remove dog faeces immediately and applies to any land which is open to the air and to which the public have access. - Dogs on leads by direction:
Requires dog owners to hold their dogs on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer. This applies to any public land where a dog is considered by an authorised officer of the Council to be out of control or causing alarm and distress and the direction is considered necessary to prevent nuisance or annoyance. - Dogs on lead:
Requires dogs to be kept on leads:- on all public roads, pavements and grass verges
- within cemeteries and allotments
- specific seafront promenades and seafront gardens
- specific sites and nature reserves
- in car parks
- Dogs exclusion:
Excludes dogs from:
- enclosed children's play areas
- specific beaches at certain times of year
- specific sporting or recreational facilities
- Dogs (specified maximum):
Specifies a maximum number of dogs (six) that can be taken onto land by one person. This applies to any land which is open to the air to which the public have access.
The PSPOs give authorised officers of the councils the ability to prosecute for failing to comply with any of these orders, where a fine not exceeding Level 3 (currently £1,000) on the standard scale can then be imposed by the Magistrates Court. We also have the ability to issue a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £100 instead of prosecuting (provided the FPN is paid).
The PSPOs also make it an offence for an individual to withhold their personal details when being investigated for a possible PSPO offence.
The PSPOs are one in a range of tools and powers used by the councils to keep everyone who lives, works and visits Adur and Worthing safe. These powers are not intended to disrupt dog ownership and used only for addressing nuisance or annoyance associated with behaviours in public places.
It should be noted that without these PSPOs the councils have limited powers to address dog related problems.
For more information on the current PSPOs, see:
What are the proposed changes?
Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council propose to renew the existing public space protection orders for Dogs. As part of this we propose the following changes:
- Lilac Way, Shoreham-by-Sea:
Add the play area as a dog exclusion zone - Freesia Way, Durrington:
Add the play area as a dog exclusion zone
In addition we have received the following suggestions and are seeking your views on these:
- The footpaths either side of the Adur Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Shoreham-by-Sea:
Make the footpath a dogs on lead area - Heene Cemetery, Worthing:
Make the cemetery a dog exclusion zone
Why have we put forward these changes?
To respond to changes in local infrastructure and to residents' suggestions.
Tell us what you think ...
We are currently reviewing the PSPOs and would like to hear your views.
Deadline for comments: midnight on Sunday 10th August 2025.
Please complete the relevant survey(s) below to provide us with your feedback:
If you have any further questions, please:
- email: publichealth.regulation@adur-worthing.gov.uk
with 'Dog PSPO Consultation' in the subject line - or write to: Public Health & Regulation, Adur & Worthing Councils, Worthing Town Hall, Chapel Road, Worthing, BN11 1HA
Page last updated: 27 June 2025