Arcadia, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Arcadia, CA, also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances, define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Key Facts
- Complaint threshold
- Three or more persons, to the Chief of Police
- Correction period
- Ten days after notice
- Hearing notice
- Completed at least ten days before the hearing
- Findings deadline
- Within fifteen days after the hearing
- Violation
- Misdemeanor after notice and specified time
- Lien interest
- Six percent per annum
Summary
In the City of Arcadia, California, a complaint from three or more persons to the Chief of Police starts an investigation into animals kept so as to disturb the peace and quiet by noise, odor or filth. The owner gets ten days to fix it, then a public hearing, and continued violation is a misdemeanor.
When a complaint has been made to the Chief of Police by any three or more persons that one or more birds or animals are being kept in such a location, in such quantities or in such a manner as to unreasonably disrupt or disturb the peace and quiet of any person or to interfere with the reasonable use of property or enjoyment of life by any person, or unreasonably to cause damage, destruction, detriment or impairment to public or private property or to the value thereof, or to cause unreasonable annoyance or disturbance to any other person or persons or to unreasonably cause offense to the senses of another person or persons, or to jeopardize or impair the mental or physical health of any other person or persons by reason of noise, odor, filth, vermin or other causes, the Chief of Police may cause an investigation of such complaint to be made. ... After service of notice as prescribed in the preceding Section, any person keeping or maintaining any bird or animal beyond the time thus specified by the Chief of Police in any manner, location or quantity other than thus specified by the Chief of Police, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
Full Breakdown
Section 4139.1 of the Arcadia Municipal Code declares the keeping of birds or animals, including household pets, to be permissive and at all times subject to the continuing regulation and control of the City. No animal can be kept in any location, manner or quantity that unreasonably disrupts or disturbs the peace and quiet of any person, interferes with the reasonable use of property or enjoyment of life, or causes damage, unreasonable annoyance, offense to the senses, or harm to health by reason of noise, odor, filth, vermin or other causes. The text prints no decibel reading and no clock-time cutoff for barking. The test is unreasonable disturbance.
The procedure begins under Section 4139.2 when three or more persons complain to the Chief of Police. The Chief can cause an investigation. If the investigation shows an unreasonable offense, Section 4139.2.1 requires the Chief to notify the person owning or in charge of the animals, advise how, where and in what quantity they can be kept without being a nuisance, and warn that a public hearing follows unless the keeping is altered within ten days.
Section 4139.3 sets the hearing. If nothing changes within ten days, the Chief fixes a time, date and place, and notice goes by registered mail to all complainants and to the keeper, with personal service on the keeper if he can be found in the City or posting on the premises if not. Notice must be completed at least ten days before the hearing. Under Section 4139.3.1 the keeper is entitled to counsel and to produce witnesses. Within fifteen days after the hearing, Section 4139.3.2 requires the Chief to issue findings of fact and, if the keeping is a nuisance, to specify the time and manner for discontinuing or altering it. Section 4139.3.3 requires service of a certified copy of the findings.
Section 4139.4 makes it a misdemeanor to keep animals beyond the time specified, in a manner, location or quantity other than the Chief specified. Section 4139.5 lets the Chief abate the nuisance by entering the premises and relocating or removing the animals.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 4139.4, anyone who keeps animals beyond the time the Chief of Police specifies is guilty of a misdemeanor, and Section 1200 sets a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both. Under Sections 4139.5.1 and 4139.5.2 the costs of abatement, including administrative overhead, are levied as a special assessment against the property, and a Notice of Lien carries interest at six percent per annum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many neighbors must complain about a barking dog?
How long does an owner have to fix the problem?
Does the code set a decibel or quiet-hours limit for barking?
What can the City do if the owner ignores the findings?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arcadia
California rules heatmap·Compare Arcadia to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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