Compo Beach Dog Rules, Connecticut | New Laws 2024

Compo Beach is one of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in Connecticut. This 29-acre coastline is located at the borderline of Saugatuck River and Long Island Sound. It’s close to Ned Dime Marina. The dog policies are meticulous. Pet owners need to follow those rules precisely to avoid conflict or punishment.

Tourists need to get tickets to enter the sand. As per the park authorities, 125 tickets are sold daily during summer. To park in the beach parking area, cars need a Park and Recreation vehicle parking emblem. The beach has many amenities like a wooden playscape, bathrooms, lockers, two volleyball courts, picnic tables, etc. Beachgoers need to vacate the parking before midnight as per the law of Compo Beach.  

Compo Beach Dog Rules, CT

• Any domesticated animal is prohibited from the beach from 1st April to 30th September. The Beach signifies the water, sand, adjacent real estate, parking space, playgrounds, beach roads, and grasslands. Pups are allowed only in Soundview parking before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. Also, they must be on a leash. 
• Owners can bring their pups (on leash) to Ned Marina and E.R. Strait Marina during this time. 
• From 1st October to 31st March, Visitors can bring their dogs to the sandy area in the south of brick bathhouses. The part is fenced.
• Owners must keep leashes handy while accompanying their furry partners.  
• In other parts of the seashore, pets must be on a leash. 
• Munchkins are prohibited from the pavilion, walkways, and playgrounds like Luciano Park.  
• Please dispose of dog feces properly. A fine of $77 will be imposed by park officials in case owners disobey any of the dog rules.
• All domesticated animals must have their identification tag on them. 
• As a pet parent, every beachgoer is responsible for the well-being of their loved ones. Tourists need to learn about the town’s Dog Policies. 

Compo Beach Dog Licensing

You must vaccinate and obtain a dog license soon after adopting a new pup. The process starts at 6 months, according to the Connecticut State Law. It is renewed annually. After filling out the Dog License Main-In Application form, owners need to download and repost the Dog License Main-In Application form.

The current Rabies Vaccination Certificate,  Neuter/spay certificate, and check/money order as fee must be provided with the application in a self-addressed envelope. 

Owners must pay $8 for spayed dogs; for unneutered ones, it’s $19. Owners will face a fine of $1 per month in case of delay in licensing. Dog parents must get a license by the 1st of July every year.

How To Reach Compo Beach

• By Flight: The closest airport to Compo Beach, Westport, is Bridgeport (BDR) Airport. It’s 19.6 km away. Other airports close to Westport are White Plains (HPN) (30.1 km), New York La Guardia (LGA) (59.4 km), and New York JFK (JFK) (65.8 km).
• By Ferry:  The Port Jefferson Ferry Stratford and Island Beach Ferry Service Greenwich are the closest ferry ports to Compo Beach. Ned Marina within Compo Beach is an in-water slip for private yachts, sunfish, Hobie Cats, Dinghies, Trailed Boats, etc. 
• By Bus: There is a Milford to Westport bus service operated by Greater Bridgeport Transit. It departs from Greensend Pl. at South Broad St. station. 

About Dog-Friendly Compo Beach

Compo Beach is a widely popular dog-friendly beach in Connecticut. The history of this 29-acre white sand beach is traced back to the early native American Paugussett Tribe. The beach is situated in the city of Westport. The meaning of the name COMPO BEACH is “The Bear’s Fishing Ground.” 

The beautiful mansions with hand-curated gardens make the Beach a perfect holiday spot for many. Entry is limited to only 125 visitors daily. This helps in keeping the beach spacious for everyone. The Park and Recreation Department organizes different festivals on the beach regularly. For example, there are Halloween parades, Independence Day fireworks celebrations, and Memorial Day parades. Compo Beach is the perfect place to organize private parties with the authorities’ permission. 

• Parking: Public parking is in Westport,  Saugatuck Center. 
• Nearby Attractions: Stepping Stones Museum for Children, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
• Amenities: Bathrooms, Lockers, Wooden Playscape, Changing rooms, Pavillion, Picnic Area, Broadwalk, Sand Volleyball Courts, Concession Stands, etc. 
• Things to do: Swimming, Beach Volley, Sunbathing, Boating, Surfing, picnics. 
• Events: Memorial Day Parade, 51st Westport Fine Arts Festival
• Dog-Friendly Restaurants: Little Barn (Westport), The Whelk ( Westport)
• Dog-Friendly Rentals: Compo Beach Delight (Westport), Mill Pond Retreat (Westport).
• Dog Boarding Kennels: Town House For Dogs & Cats (Westport), Room For Paws (Stamford)
• Emergency Veterinary Hospital: Westport Animal Hospital, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists. 
• Beach Hours: From 1st May to 30th September  between 04:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m
• Entree Fees: $45 per person on weekdays and $70 per person on weekends and holidays. 

Compo Beach Rules and Regulations

• To sell commercial products and services, one has to obtain permission from the Westport Parks and Recreation Department. 
• Nudity and improper behavior are punishable offenses in Compo Beach.
• Alcoholic beverages are only served in the picnic spots with permission from the Park and Recreation Department. In other areas of the coast, it’s strictly prohibited. 
• Tobacco and vaporized cannabis-type products are banned from the beach and also all the town-controlled areas. 
• one can carry only 1 liter of beer in the picnic areas. 
• Keeping the sand clean is the duty of every beachgoer. You must properly dispose of every spec of dirt, animal feces, glass bottles, etc. 
• Amplified music, like DJs and bands, can be performed on the beach only with written permission from the Park and Recreation Department. 
• The pavilion is a public space. Pets, private parties, alcohol, and barbeques are strictly prohibited there. 
• The food concession is available at Compo Beach from 1st May to 1st November between 9 am and 8 pm 
• Cars and other motorized vehicles can park in the parking lot with a valid Park and Recreation Beach PArking Emblem. 
• Lifeguard service is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day between 10 am and 6 pm. 
• Watercraft, windsurfers, and aircraft are banned from entering the beach.
• Styrofoam and inflatable devices are prohibited in Compo Beach. Lifeguards can use flotation devices.
• Camping and open burning are strictly prohibited in Compo Beach. 
• Fishing in the swimming zone and using scuba or skin diving gear are forbidden from all beachfront areas. 

Conclusion

Dog-friendly Compo Beach becomes the perfect holiday destination for many pet parents during summertime. This place is heavenly, with a beautiful coastal area, strict pet laws, limited daily entrance, and numerous amenities. Unlike many Connecticut Beaches, Compo Beach has a fenced region where dogs can enjoy playing without leash around their neck.

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