Dog parks in Palm Beach County: which ones need permits and what residents pay
County parks, city parks, and the members-only spots near the Broward line all run on different rules, which is why local dog owners rarely agree on who pays what. Here is the breakdown, plus the one county requirement most newcomers miss.
The four county dog parks are free
Palm Beach County runs four off-leash parks: Canine Cove (Burt Aaronson Park, Boca Raton), the Dog Park at Lake Ida (Delray Beach), Lake Woof (John Prince Park, Lake Worth), and Pooch Pines (Okeeheelee Park, West Palm Beach). None charges admission or sells a permit. All four open sunrise to sunset, with midday maintenance closures: Wednesdays noon to 3 pm at Canine Cove and Pooch Pines, Thursdays at Lake Ida and Lake Woof. Rules: current vaccines and license tags, no puppies under four months, two dogs per person, no dogs in heat, and dogs over 30 lbs stay out of the small-dog side.
Quick reference
| Park | Who runs it | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Canine Cove, Lake Ida, Lake Woof, Pooch Pines | Palm Beach County | Free, no permit |
| Mizner Bark (Boca Raton) | City of Boca Raton | Free for city and Beach & Park District residents, otherwise $335 per year or $30 per month |
| Canine Corner (Pompano Beach) | City of Pompano Beach | Members only: residents $31 per year, nonresidents $62, plus $5 per extra dog |
| Wags & Waves Dog Beach (Pompano Beach) | City of Pompano Beach | Advance permit, check the current fee with the city |
Mizner Bark is the exception
Mizner Bark at 751 Banyan Trail belongs to the city of Boca Raton, not the county, and that is where most permit confusion starts. Entry requires a Dog Park Vehicle Permit, a nontransferable windshield sticker. City and Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District residents pay nothing. Everyone else pays $335 per year or $30 per month through the city's Annual Permits page or its community centers. Current permits run through September 30, and next season's sales had not opened as of late August. Inside: three fenced zones split at 20 and 50 lbs, dog washes, 65 permit-only spots, open morning to dusk and from noon on Wednesdays.
South of the line: Pompano Beach
Canine Corner (1101 N. Federal Highway) is members only. Register at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center or the Aquatic Center with proof of address, the rabies certificate itself (a metal tag does not count), and a photo of your dog. Residents pay $31 per year, nonresidents $62, plus $5 per extra dog. Hours: 6:30 am to 8:30 pm daily, closed Tuesdays. Wags & Waves Dog Beach needs a city permit arranged in advance, with dog hours limited to Friday through Sunday time slots. The city has not published the price, so call 954-786-4111.
The license most newcomers skip
Every dog in Palm Beach County must carry a county rabies license tag, starting at four to six months of age (county pages disagree, treat four as safe) and within 30 days of moving here. The county parks require the tag, so even the free ones are not paperwork-free. The license is annual only: $15 for spayed or neutered pets, $75 for intact pets, $11.25 for owners 70 and older with altered pets, plus a $10 penalty for renewing over 30 days late. Buy through SNAP at pbcgov.com/snap, petdata.com, Animal Care & Control (7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach), or participating vet clinics (up to $5 service fee). The same Belvedere Road office gives $15 rabies shots on weekends from 2 to 4 pm.
Do I need a permit for Canine Cove or Lake Ida?
No. All four county parks are free. Your dog just needs a current county license tag.
Is Mizner Bark free if I live in Delray Beach or unincorporated Palm Beach County?
No. Free permits cover only city of Boca Raton and Beach & Park District residents. Everyone else pays $335 per year or $30 per month.
How much is the Palm Beach County dog license?
$15 a year for altered pets, $75 for intact ones, plus $10 if you renew over 30 days late.
When the park run does not fit your week
Between work hours, midday closures, and permit gaps, plenty of owners make the park twice a week when their dog would go daily. That gap is what we cover. dogoboca handles walks, drop-in visits, and sitting across Palm Beach County, plus free dog photo sessions in local parks. Your dog gets the fence time, you get the pictures, and the license tag stays the only paperwork on you.
