Dog exclusion zones on beaches from 1 May
Sunderland residents and visitors are reminded that dog exclusion zones will be back in force on beaches from Friday 1 May 2026.
Dog exclusion zones apply to a section of Roker beach and a stretch of the beach at Seaburn from 1 May until 30 September.
During this time, there will be remaining areas of the beach where dogs are allowed.
The exclusion zones form part of the City Council's wider Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which was introduced in 2019 in response to calls from residents for more enforcement action on anti-social behaviour issues ranging from dog fouling to dropping litter.
This was renewed in 2024 for a further three years following public consultation.
Peter McIntyre, Executive Director of Economy & Place at Sunderland City Council, said: "In Sunderland we are very lucky to have some beautiful beaches that we can all be proud of, and we want to keep them clean and tidy for all our residents and visitors to enjoy.
"One of the ways we do this is by enforcing a dog exclusion zone over the summer. We know that most residents are responsible and considerate dog owners, and we want to thank residents and visitors for adhering to the restrictions and helping us to keep the beaches looking their best over the summer months."
Anyone caught breaching the dog exclusion zone faces a £100 fine. In 2025, Sunderland City Council issued 18 fixed penalty notices for dogs in the exclusion zones at Roker and Seaburn.
For further information on the city's Public Spaces Protection Order and the area covered by the dog exclusion zone visit Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) - Sunderland City Council
