Anderson County, SC Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 26-127(5) of the noise article prohibits owning, possessing or harboring any animal that frequently or continuously howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds creating excessive and unnecessary noise across a residential or commercial property line or within a noise-sensitive area. The section defines "barking dog" specifically as a dog that barks, bays, cries, howls or makes any other noise continuously or incessantly for a period of ten minutes, or intermittently for one-half hour or more, to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night, regardless of whether the dog is physically located on private property.

The definition carries one built-in exception: a dog is not deemed a barking dog if, at the time it is barking, a person is trespassing or threatening to trespass on the property where the dog is situated. This barking-dog standard sits within the broader noise article; section 26-123 separately declares any unreasonably loud, disturbing noise causing material distress to persons of ordinary sensibilities a nuisance, and encourages a neighbor to first ask the animal's owner directly to abate the noise before pursuing a citation. The article applies only within the unincorporated areas of the county; incorporated towns and the City of Anderson enforce their own animal-noise rules.