- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Dealing with a barking dog can be stressful, whether you’re a concerned pet parent or a frustrated neighbor. That might lead you to question how much barking is considered excessive and what the legal limits are.
To learn more about how long a dog can bark legally, we consulted Lisa Milot, a professor of Canine Welfare Law at the University of Georgia School of Law. With her expertise, we explore what constitutes excessive barking and outline relevant state laws. We also cover when it’s okay to file a noise complaint—and how to approach a barking complaint filed against your own dog. Here’s everything you need to know, right down to how to manage a dog who won’t stop barking.
How Much Barking Is Too Much—Legally?
In the United States, there is no federal law that specifies how long is too long for a dog to be barking. In most states, local governments are responsible for setting barking limits, and this will determine if you can get in trouble if your dog barks too much.
“Dog barking is generally covered by local laws, called ordinances, and the standards vary quite a bit between jurisdictions,” explains Lisa Milot. She adds that her law students were stunned by how much local ordinances varied across their own state of Georgia.
Some regions have specific barking ordinances. Others just have general noise ordinances.
Most counties consider it unlawful for dog guardians to allow excessive barking, which is typically defined as persistent, loud barking that disturbs the neighborhood’s peace or inconveniences residents. The time of day is also often a consideration, and many municipalities have stricter limits on barking at night.
General barking guidelines by state
| State | Law |
| Alabama | Alabama has no specific laws on how long a dog can bark. However, evidence of two or more incidents of excessive barking can result in a court case. |
| Alaska | Alaska’s previous law permitted dogs to bark for 7 minutes without a 1-minute break, but it’s now shortened to 5 minutes. However, licensed mushers’ dogs can bark for 20 minutes.
Failure to control excessive barking can result in fines of $100 for the first offense and $200 for the second. |
| Arizona | Arizona has no specific rules about how long a dog can legally bark. However, if found guilty of disturbing the peace, dog guardians can be fined $150 to $2,500. This penalty applies to most counties except Maricopa County. |
| Arkansas | While it does not set a legal barking duration, Arkansas’ Animal Control Ordinance prohibits citizens from keeping dogs that bark, yelp, or howl excessively. |
| California | California’s barking laws vary by municipality and county. Typically, a dog barking for over 30 minutes is considered a nuisance.
In Contra Costa County, residents can file a complaint if a dog barks on and off for 24 hours, while in LA County, pet parents can face fines of up to $1,000 or even jail time for repeated offenses. |
| Colorado | In most areas of Colorado, dog barking is limited to 10 minutes during the day and 5 minutes at night. You can file a complaint if:
|
| Connecticut | No statewide laws exist to regulate how long a dog can legally bark in Connecticut, but pet parents can be fined up to $100 if their dog is a neighborhood nuisance. A second offense can lead to jail time. |
| Delaware | According to Delaware’s House Bill 84, the legal limit for continuous barking is 15 minutes. Intermittent barking has a limit of 30 minutes. This doesn’t apply if a dog barks at someone trespassing on their property. |
| Florida | In Florida, dog barking laws vary by county. In Hillsborough County, dogs cannot bark continuously for more than 20 minutes without a 20-second break in between. This law does not apply to boarding kennels, shelters, or agricultural zoning properties.
Violations can result in fines of up to $500 and 60 days in jail. |
| Georgia | The legal barking limit for dogs in Georgia is 10 minutes. Fines of up to $150 can occur for dogs that have several complaints against them. |
| Hawaii | Hawaii has a legal limit of 10 minutes for continuous barking and 30 minutes for intermittent barking. |
| Idaho | While no law limits the duration of barking in Idaho, pet parents of disruptive dogs can incur fines of up to $300. |
| Illinois | Like most states, dog barking laws in Illinois vary by city and municipality.
In Chicago, it’s unlawful for dogs to bark for more than ten consecutive minutes or intermittently throughout a significant portion of the day. Violations can result in fines of $50 to $250. |
| Indiana | While there’s no statewide law, the typical legal limit on barking in Indiana is 30 minutes during the day and 20 at night. |
| Iowa | There’s no state law on barking duration, but Iowa prohibits dogs from disturbing the peace. |
| Kansas | In Kansas, dogs are not allowed to be a public nuisance. Dogs are considered a nuisance if they bark excessively, and neighbors must testify under oath to the disturbance.
Some areas, such as Wichita, do not allow residents to file complaints on their own. They must work with an animal control supervisor to gather evidence. |
| Kentucky | Barking laws vary by county in Kentucky. For instance, Crittenden County limits dog barking to 15 minutes. In other counties, pet parents with disruptive dogs can incur fines ranging from $50 to $1000. |
| Louisiana | In Louisiana, the Animal Control Office (ACO) determines whether or not a barking dog is a nuisance. Legally, dogs cannot continuously bark for more than 10 minutes or 30 minutes on and off.
Residents can file complaints with their local Animal Control Officers to initiate the necessary proceedings. Multiple offenses could result in fines. |
| Maine | You’ll find different barking laws across cities in Maine.
|
| Maryland | Maryland doesn’t have a legal barking limit, but it’s unlawful for dogs to be a public nuisance. Residents can call the police on non-emergency lines to file complaints with the Office of Animal Services. |
| Massachusetts | No state law in Massachusetts legally stipulates how long a dog can bark, but citizens can file a complaint for persistent and disruptive barking. |
| Michigan | There is no legal limit on barking in Michigan, but dogs who bark excessively may land their guardian with fines up to $100. |
| Minnesota | In Minnesota, dogs can continuously bark for up to 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes on and off. |
| Mississippi | Most counties in Mississippi don’t have a legal barking time. However, residents can file a complaint if a dog barks or howls non-stop. |
| Missouri | Each county has its own law on dog barking duration. For instance, residents in the city of Columbia can file complaints for any excessive animal noise. |
| Montana | While there is no statewide barking limit in Montana, residents can report dogs who disturb the peace. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska has no defined barking limit, but residents can file a complaint for excessive noise. |
| Nevada | There are no state-wide laws regarding barking duration, but complaints can be filed against dogs who disturb the peace. |
| New Hampshire | In New Hampshire, dogs can bark legally for up to 30 minutes, both day and night. |
| New Jersey | In most areas, it’s unlawful to keep dogs who disturb the peace by barking excessively. A recently introduced ordinance in Saddle River makes it illegal for dogs to bark continuously for:
Violations could result in jail time or fines up to $1,000. |
| New Mexico | New Mexico doesn’t specify a legal barking time. In Albuquerque, residents can file noise complaints online. |
| New York | Laws vary statewide. In New York City, dogs can bark for 10 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 5 minutes from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. |
| North Carolina | North Carolina doesn’t have a specific law on barking duration. However, legal action can be taken against dogs who cause a public nuisance. |
| North Dakota | There is no state-wide law on barking duration in North Dakota. However, most counties have regulations to address excessive dog barking. |
| Ohio | Ohio doesn’t have a legal barking time limit, but pet parents can be held liable for dogs who cause a disturbance. |
| Oklahoma | Some areas of Oklahoma, like Tulsa, prohibit dogs from barking continuously for more than 10 minutes. Across the state, it’s unlawful to keep dogs that constantly disturb the peace. |
| Oregon | Laws vary by county. In most cases, dogs can bark up to 10 minutes continuously and 30 minutes intermittently. |
| Pennsylvania | Individual municipalities set regulations, but most regions limit barking to 10 minutes continuously and 30 minutes intermittently. |
| Rhode Island | Barking ordinances vary by location. In Providence, it’s illegal for dogs to disturb a neighborhood’s peace. In Woonsocket, non-stop barking is limited to 15 minutes. Pet parents can incur fines after multiple warnings. |
| South Carolina | While rules vary, most counties limit continuous barking to 10 minutes. |
| South Dakota | There are no laws on legal barking limits, but repeated noise complaints can lead to fines for the dog guardian. |
| Tennessee | In Tennessee, it’s unlawful for dogs to disturb the peace with frequent barking, whining, or howling. Individual counties have their own laws. |
| Texas | The Texas Health and Safety Code prohibits excessive barking, which can result in fines of up to $500. Local ordinances may also apply. |
| Utah | Various local ordinances address dog barking in Utah. Multiple complaints can lead to fines of up to $200. |
| Vermont | Individual counties set ordinances to manage persistent barking. Violations are subject to fines. |
| Virginia | In most counties, the legal limit for barking is set to 10 minutes. However, specific laws may differ between counties. |
| Washington | Laws on dog barking vary across the state of Washington, but most areas limit continuous barking to 10 minutes and intermittent barking to 30 minutes.
In Seattle, it’s unlawful for animals to make loud, frequent, repetitive noise that disturbs the peace. Animal shelters, commercial kennels, and veterinary hospitals are the exception. |
| West Virginia | Most counties in West Virginia consider it unlawful to keep unreasonably loud dogs who disturb the neighborhood. Incessant barking can lead to fines. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin does not have state laws on barking, but residents can complain to local animal control. |
| Wyoming | There is no state limit on barking, but most counties in Wyoming prohibit dogs from barking for an unreasonably long time. Violations of local ordinances can result in a fine for the dog guardian. |
dimarik via iStock
What Can Someone Do Legally If a Dog Barks Too Much?
If your neighbor’s dog won’t stop barking, there are a few things you can do. First, Milot suggests trying to find out why the dog is barking and whether the pet parent even knows about it. For instance, a bored dog may bark while their human is gone during the day.
Next, you’ll want to address the barking directly with your neighbor. “It can be uncomfortable, but if you’ve done a little investigation in advance, it might help you frame the conversation in a non-confrontational way, and you might be able to reach a compromise or even solve the problem,” says Milot.
Can you call the cops if a neighbor’s dog won’t stop barking?
Maybe! If the barking persists or the pet parent seems indifferent, Milot recommends looking into your local laws. If there is a barking or noise ordinance, you can contact the appropriate enforcement agency—usually local animal control services or the non-emergency police line. It’s also a good idea to keep a log of when the barking occurs so you can use it as evidence when filing a complaint.
Keep in mind that you might have to testify about the disturbance in court. “Even if that doesn’t happen, your neighbor can likely find out who reported the dog through an open records request,” adds Milot.
What if someone files a complaint against your dog?
If someone files a barking complaint against your dog, it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and a willingness to find a resolution. To that end, Milot says figuring out why your dog is barking should be your top priority. Identifying the root cause of the barking can help you find an effective solution.
It’s also helpful to have a conversation with the neighbor who made the complaint. By communicating openly, you may find a solution that works for everyone. For example, if your dog loves to bark at squirrels outside, you could adjust the time you let your dog out to minimize disruptions for your neighbor during certain hours. “Working it out with the neighbor by compromising is always better than an ongoing feud and legal citations,” observes Milot.
If the matter does end up in court, Milot recommends familiarizing yourself with local laws and gathering evidence that you’re actively working on a solution. For instance, you have proof that you’re working with a trainer to help curb the barking behaviors.
alexei_tm via iStock
How To Manage Dog Barking
Getting a dog to stop barking can be challenging, but there are ways to help!
As mentioned above, the first step is understanding the “why” behind your dog’s barking. Identifying the reason your dog is barking can help you tailor an appropriate response. Here are some solutions to common causes of barking.
- Keep your dog active and fulfilled: To prevent boredom (and the barking that often goes with it), give your dog regular exercise and mental stimulation. Implement plenty of enrichment activities like puzzle toys, lick mats, interactive play, and novel experiences to keep them physically and mentally engaged.
- Work on fear-related barking: Consider working with a trainer to desensitize your dog to noises or stimuli that trigger barking, such as thunder, a doorbell, or voices out in the hallway.
- Block views and access: Similarly, block access to things that trigger your dog to alert bark. Close curtains, lower blinds, and use white noise machines to muffle outside disturbances.
- Teach your dog new things are safe: If your dog barks at dogs, humans, other animals, or moving objects, you may want to consider working with a certified animal behaviorist or dog trainer. Pet professionals who use positive reinforcement methods can help you modify your dog’s behavior and teach them alternative responses to triggers that lead to barking.
- Hire someone to be with your dog: Some dogs need to expend more energy than you have time during work. Other dogs don’t like being alone. Both these dogs may bark less if they attend doggy day care or have a dog walker drop in to exercise them.
- Train them to love being alone: Tools like pheromone diffusers, calming collars, and crate training can help with separation anxiety training if your dog barks when they’re alone. Pet cameras can also help monitor your dog’s behavior while you’re away.
Tips for while you’re training
To help in the interim while you’re working on modifying your dog’s behavior, consider:
- Hanging sound-dampening blankets
- Using white noise machines to muffle outdoor triggers
- Distracting your dog with a treat-dispensing camera
Whatever the reason behind your dog’s barking, it’s crucial to avoid punitive measures such as barking collars, as these can be cruel and ineffective in the long run. Instead, focus on humane practices and seek professional help if you’re really stuck.
Why It’s Important Not To Let a Dog Bark All the Time
Remember, occasional barking is natural and a form of communication. However, when barking becomes a nuisance and disturbs your neighbors, it’s time to take action.
Not only can nonstop barking be disruptive and annoying to neighbors, but it can also be a sign of distress or discomfort for the dog. It might indicate a need for attention, exercise, or medical care, so letting it go unaddressed is never a good idea.
Prolonged barking can also lead to stress and anxiety in dogs, affecting their overall well-being. That’s why it’s always worth getting your dog proper training and ensuring you’re meeting their needs.
