Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
🔊 Noise Ordinances/Barking Dogs

Barking Dogs: Los Angeles vs Santa Monica

How do barking dogs rules compare between Los Angeles, CA and Santa Monica, CA?

Los Angeles has fewer restrictions than Santa Monica.

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles County

Some Restrictions

Barking dogs that disturb the peace violate LAMC §41.57. LA Department of Animal Services enforces animal noise complaints.

View full Los Angeles rules →

Santa Monica, CA

Los Angeles County

Heavy Restrictions

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

FactLos AngelesSanta Monica
CodeLAMC §41.57SMMC §4.04
EnforcementLA Dept of Animal Services-
ReportingLA Animal Services or LAPD-
State LawCA Penal Code §415 (fallback)-
Continuous-5 minutes max
Intermittent-15 min per 60-min period
Applies-All hours, all animals

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Los Angeles FAQ

What are the rules about barking dogs in los Angeles?

Barking dogs that disturb the peace violate LAMC §41.57. LA Department of Animal Services enforces animal noise complaints.

How do I file a noise complaint about a barking dog in los Angeles?

Code: LAMC §41.57. Enforcement: LA Dept of Animal Services. Reporting: LA Animal Services or LAPD. State Law: CA Penal Code §415 (fallback).

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 Los Angeles 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