Barking Dogs: Chino vs Rialto
How do barking dogs rules compare between Chino, CA and Rialto, CA?
Chino and Rialto have similar restriction levels.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino contracts with San Bernardino County Animal Care & Control for animal services (not the Inland Valley Humane Society, which serves neighboring Chino Hills). Continuous or habitual barking that exceeds the CMC § 9.40.040 decibel limits, or that constitutes a public nuisance under CMC Title 9, can be cited. San Bernardino County Code Title 3, Division 2 (Animal Control) prohibits keeping any animal whose noise disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood.
View full Chino rules →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Animal noise is excluded from Chapter 9.50 by RMC §9.50.060(N)(2) and is governed by Title 6 (Animals) of the Rialto Municipal Code. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors is also actionable as a public nuisance under California Civil Code §3479 and §3480.
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Animal control provider | San Bernardino County Animal Care & Control (contracted) | - |
| Applicable noise code | CMC § 9.40.040 (general noise) + County Code § 32.0301 et seq. | - |
| Nighttime barking cap | 50 dBA L50 at neighbor's property line | - |
| Complaint process | Log barking dates/times; multi-neighbor petition typically required | - |
| Not served by IVHS | Inland Valley Humane Society serves Chino Hills, not Chino | - |
| Where the rule lives | - | Rialto Municipal Code Title 6 (Animals); §9.50.060(N)(2) sends complaints there |
| State backstop | - | Cal. Civil Code §3479 & §3480 (public nuisance) |
| Enforcement body | - | Rialto Animal Services (under Police Department) and Code Enforcement |
| Decibel limit | - | None — standard is 'habitual or continued' disturbance of neighbors |
| Number of dogs limit | - | Set in Title 6 (kennel-permit threshold); contact Animal Services for current count |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
How do I report a barking dog in Chino?
Contact San Bernardino County Animal Care & Control (the city's contracted provider) at (909) 386-9820. Document the dates, times, and duration of barking before filing.
How long can a dog bark before it's a violation?
There is no fixed-minute trigger in CMC. Continuous or repeated barking that exceeds 50 dBA L50 at night (or 55 dBA day) at the neighbor's property line violates CMC § 9.40.040, and habitual barking is independently a public nuisance under County Code.
Does the Inland Valley Humane Society handle Chino?
No. IVHS contracts cover Chino Hills, Pomona, Diamond Bar, Claremont, and several others, but not the City of Chino. Chino uses San Bernardino County Animal Care & Control.
Rialto FAQ
Why isn't barking covered by Rialto's main noise ordinance?
RMC §9.50.060(N)(2) carves animal noise out of Chapter 9.50 and points to Title 6 of the Municipal Code. So the 50-ft/25-ft 'plainly audible' tests for music do not apply — barking is judged by whether it is 'habitual or continued' and disturbs neighbors.
How long does a dog have to bark before I can complain?
Rialto Title 6 (and California Civil Code §3479) use a 'habitual or continued' standard rather than a fixed minute count. In practice, Animal Services typically asks for a log showing repeated, prolonged barking on multiple days, plus statements from more than one household when possible.
Who do I call about a barking dog in Rialto?
Contact Rialto Animal Services through the Police Department non-emergency line, or file a Code Enforcement complaint via the Community Compliance Division at rialtoca.gov. For an ongoing nuisance you may also pursue a private nuisance claim in court under Cal. Civil Code §3479.
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