Barking dog rules in Allentown, PA — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Article 710.03(C)(6) makes it a noise disturbance to own or harbor any animal or bird that barks, bays, cries, or squawks continuously for 10 minutes, or intermittently for one-half hour or more, to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night, with a defense for trespass or provocation.
Allentown addresses noisy animals directly in Article 710.03(C)(6) of the Noise Control ordinance (Chapter 400). It prohibits 'owning, possessing, harboring or controlling any animal or bird which barks, bays, cries, squawks or makes any other noise continuously and/or incessantly for a period of ten (10) minutes or makes such noise intermittently for one-half (1/2) hour or more to the disturbance of any person at any time of the day or night regardless of whether the animal or bird is physically situated in or upon private property.' The ordinance builds in a defense: there is no violation if, at the time the animal or bird is making the noise, a person is 'trespassing or threatening to trespass upon private property in or upon which the animal or bird is situated or for any other legitimate cause which teased or provoked the animal or bird.' Enforcement is shared between the Bureau of Health and the Department of Police. Persistent barking can also be addressed as a public nuisance and, where intent is shown, as disorderly conduct under state law (18 Pa.C.S. section 5503, 'unreasonable noise').
$100 violation ticket per offense (Article 710.99(A)(7)); summary conviction fine $100 to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days (710.99(A)(9)). Each day the barking continues may be a separate offense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Allentown, PA
Allentown prohibits storing abandoned, inoperable, or unregistered vehicles on public streets or visible on private property. Vehicles may be tagged and towe...
Allentown, PA
Allentown regulates electric vehicle charging infrastructure for residential and commercial properties. Building codes may require EV-ready parking in new co...
Allentown, PA
Allentown does not impose a blanket residential overnight on-street parking ban, but a vehicle parked in one place on a public street for more than 72 consec...
Allentown, PA
Allentown requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Allentown, PA
Allentown requires permits for retaining walls above a certain height, typically 4 feet. Engineering review may be required for taller walls.
Allentown, PA
Allentown does not cap household pets by number directly, but City Code Chapter 163 defines any place keeping more than six dogs or domesticated animals over...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Lehigh County.
See how other cities in Lehigh County handle barking dogs.
See how Allentown's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.