Barking Dogs: Altadena vs Santa Monica
How do barking dogs rules compare between Altadena, CA and Santa Monica, CA?
Altadena has fewer restrictions than Santa Monica.
Altadena, CA
Los Angeles County
LA County Code Section 10.36.010 prohibits owning or keeping any animal that habitually disturbs the peace by barking, howling, or other noise. Enforced by LA County Animal Care & Control.
View full Altadena rules →Santa Monica, CA
Los Angeles County
Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.04 prohibits allowing any animal to bark, yell, or cry for more than 5 continuous minutes or 15 total minutes in any 60-minute period. This is one of the strictest barking dog standards in Los Angeles County. Animal Control Officers enforce the ordinance.
View full Santa Monica rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Altadena | Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | LA County Code 10.36.010 | - |
| Enforcement Agency | LA County Animal Care & Control | - |
| Classification | Public nuisance / infraction | - |
| Continuous | - | 5 minutes max |
| Intermittent | - | 15 min per 60-min period |
| Applies | - | All hours, all animals |
| Code | - | SMMC §4.04 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Altadena FAQ
Who handles barking dog complaints in Altadena?
LA County Animal Care & Control under LA County Code Section 10.36.010. File a complaint via the Department's website or phone.
Santa Monica FAQ
How long can a dog bark in Santa Monica before it is a violation?
More than 5 continuous minutes or 15 total minutes in any 60-minute period. This is one of the strictest standards in LA County.
How do I report a barking dog in Santa Monica?
Contact Santa Monica Animal Control. Officers can investigate and issue citations. If you disagree with the outcome, you may appeal to the City's Hearing Examiner under Chapter 6.16 procedures.
Compare other topics
See how Altadena and Santa Monica compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool