Barking Dogs: Pasadena vs South Gate
How do barking dogs rules compare between Pasadena, CA and South Gate, CA?
Pasadena and South Gate have similar restriction levels.
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena considers persistent barking a public nuisance under the Municipal Code. Dogs that bark continuously for 20 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes disturbing neighbors may result in citations.
View full Pasadena rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate Municipal Code Title 4 (Animals) and Chapter 7.22 (Animal Control) govern habitually barking or noisy dogs. Sustained or repeated barking that disturbs neighbors is a nuisance and a code violation, enforced by Animal Control (contracted via Los Angeles County) and the South Gate Police Department. The general 'offensive portable noise' standard in §7.44.020.02(a) — noise causing discomfort or annoyance to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities — also reaches animal noise produced on private property opened to the public or where the animal handler is not the property owner.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Pasadena | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Barking | 20 minutes threshold | - |
| Intermittent Barking | 30 minutes threshold | - |
| Enforcement | Pasadena Humane Society | - |
| Process | Warning first, then citations | - |
| Governing chapters | - | SGMC Title 4 Animals; Ch. 7.22 Animal Control; Ch. 7.44 (where applicable) |
| Service provider | - | LA County Department of Animal Care and Control (contract) |
| Complaint evidence | - | Written barking log from complaining neighbor typically required |
| Civil remedy | - | Cal. Civ. Code §3479 private nuisance action |
| Reasonable-person test | - | SGMC §7.44.020.02(a) |
| Penalty escalation | - | Warning → administrative citation → nuisance hearing → impound |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Pasadena FAQ
How do I report a barking dog in Pasadena?
Contact the Pasadena Humane Society which handles animal control for the city. Document dates, times, and duration of barking.
What counts as excessive barking?
Continuous barking for 20 minutes or intermittent barking for 30 minutes that disturbs neighbors constitutes a nuisance.
South Gate FAQ
How do I report a barking dog in South Gate?
Call Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (the contract provider for South Gate) and request a barking-dog complaint form. You will typically be asked to keep a log of dates, times, and durations of barking for several days before formal action is taken. SGPD can also respond to immediate disturbances under SGMC §7.44.060.
Is there a limit on how many dogs I can keep?
Yes — household animal limits are set in SGMC Title 4 / Chapter 7.22. Exceeding the per-household dog cap can independently trigger code enforcement action separate from any barking complaint. Verify the current limit with South Gate Code Enforcement before adding pets.
What if Animal Control will not act on repeated barking?
California Civil Code §3479 defines sustained noise that disturbs comfortable enjoyment of property as a nuisance, and Civil Procedure §731 authorizes a private civil action against the owner. Small-claims court or a nuisance suit is available even if the City declines to cite.
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