Dog-friendly Panama City: Al Helms Dog Park, bayfront parks, patios that welcome leashed dogs and the city ordinance on dogs in parks and public places.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: the Panama City Municipal Code, Chapter 4 (Animals), the City of Panama City’s parks and facilities listings, Destination Panama City’s pet-friendly dining and beach access pages, and each business’s own website, linked. Rules on a business’s patio are the business’s call; ask before you sit down.

Panama City is an easy town for a dog: a city dog park, shaded bayfront parks and a run of patios in St. Andrews and downtown. The rule that covers all of it is in the city code: a dog off its owner’s property has to be under the owner’s direct control.

Good to know

  • Dog park: Al Helms Dog Park, 1022 Balboa Ave., dawn to dusk
  • Leash rule: dogs may not run at large in streets, parks or other public places (Sec. 4-84)
  • Animal control: the city code assigns animal control officers from Bay County’s Animal Control Division
  • Loose or dangerous dog right now: Panama City Police Department non-emergency, 850-872-3112; 911 for an attack

The leash rules

From Chapter 4 of the Panama City Municipal Code:

  • Sec. 4-84, restraint: no owner may allow a dog to run or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public place unless the dog is under the owner’s direct control, or onto private property without the property owner’s consent.
  • “At large” means an animal not held by a fence, building, enclosure or leash, or free and not under the direct control of a person.
  • Sec. 4-12: dogs and cats running at large off the owner’s premises can be impounded.
  • Dangerous dogs (Sec. 4-116) must be muzzled and restrained by a leash or chain whenever they are outside a proper enclosure.
  • Service dogs and dogs being shown or trained are among the exceptions to Sec. 4-84.

The code calls repeated running at large and barking that disturbs neighbors a nuisance (Sec. 4-5). Bring bags and pick up after your dog.

Dog park

Al Helms Dog Park, 1022 Balboa Ave. The city’s dog park is open from dawn until dusk. It is listed on the city’s parks and facilities page; park questions go to Parks, Culture and Recreation, 850-872-3199. More city parks: parks and trails.

Bayfront parks and beaches

Destination Panama City’s beach access page lists these bayside spots as pet-friendly:

  • Oaks by the Bay Park, 2715 W. 10th St., St. Andrews: a boardwalk to the bay under big oaks. On Saturday mornings it hosts the Market at St. Andrews, so expect a crowd.
  • Carl Gray Park, Collegiate Drive on North Bay, with a boat ramp and picnic tables.
  • Asbell Park, 701 E. Caroline Blvd., beside Lake Caroline with a view of the bay.
  • West Beach Drive, the bayfront road west of downtown.

The Gulf beaches are in Panama City Beach, which sets its own rules for dogs.

Patios that welcome dogs

From the restaurants’ own websites:

  • History Class Brewing Company, 6 E. Fourth St. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome in its two outdoor seating areas; because it serves food, dogs cannot come inside. Phone: 850-801-2337.
  • Papa Joe’s Bayside, 4601 U.S. 98. Its website calls it a dog-friendly spot by the water, with food trucks, drinks and yard games. Phone: 850-604-4923.

Destination Panama City’s pet-friendly dining list adds patios including Alice’s on Bayview, Amavida Coffee Roasters, Burgunbarrel, FINNS Island Style Grub and Uncle Ernie’s in St. Andrews, and El Weirdo, Lone Star Boil House and Tom’s Hot Dogs downtown. Confirm with the host before you sit down.

Storms and pets

If you evacuate for a hurricane, bring a carrier or crate, a leash, food, water and medicine for your pet. See our hurricane prep guide.

Related: walking and biking trails, brunch in Panama City and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a dog park in Panama City, Florida?

Yes. Al Helms Dog Park, 1022 Balboa Ave., is a city park open from dawn until dusk.

Do dogs have to be on a leash in Panama City?

The city code bars owners from letting a dog run or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public place unless the dog is under the owner’s direct control (Sec. 4-84). Dogs found running at large can be impounded (Sec. 4-12).

Which Panama City restaurants allow dogs?

History Class Brewing Company, 6 E. Fourth St., welcomes well-behaved dogs on leash in its two outdoor seating areas but not indoors. Destination Panama City keeps a longer list of pet-friendly patios.

Where can I take my dog to the water in Panama City?

Destination Panama City lists Oaks by the Bay Park, Carl Gray Park, Asbell Park and West Beach Drive among pet-friendly bay beaches. Keep dogs under control, as the city code requires.