Bartow County, GA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Bartow County, GA, 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
- Noise threshold
- Barking continuously over 15 minutes
- Or
- Repeatedly, 15 total minutes in one hour
- Must be audible
- From a neighboring residence
- First-offense fine
- $150.00 minimum
- Repeat-offense fine
- $300.00 to $450.00
- How to report
- Sworn affidavit to Animal Control
Summary
Unincorporated Bartow County treats a dog that barks, howls or whines continuously for more than 15 minutes, or repeatedly for 15 total minutes within an hour, audible from a neighboring home, as a public nuisance animal subject to citation under Bartow County Code § 14-16.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any animal on any property located within the unincorporated limits of Bartow County when the animal is kept in such condition to constitute a public nuisance animal, as defined below, or to constitute a menace to public health or safety. ... Public nuisance animal means any animal that unreasonably annoys humans, endangers the life or health of persons or other animals, or substantially interferes with the rights of citizens, other than their owners, to enjoyment of life or property. ... (4)Any animal that continuously (exceeding 15 continuous minutes) or repeatedly (numerous times totaling 15 minutes over the course of one hour) howls, barks, whines or makes other disturbing noises that can be heard from within any adjacent or nearby residential structure owned by anyone other than the animal owner;
Full Breakdown
Sec. 14-16 makes it unlawful to keep any animal on unincorporated county property in a condition that constitutes a public nuisance animal or a menace to public health or safety. The code defines a public nuisance animal as one that unreasonably annoys humans, endangers the life or health of persons or other animals, or substantially interferes with other citizens' enjoyment of life or property, and then lists the noise trigger by name at subsection (4): barking, howling, whining or other disturbing noise that continues for more than 15 continuous minutes, or that repeats for a total of 15 minutes within one hour, and is audible from inside an adjacent or nearby residential structure owned by someone other than the dog's owner.
Enforcement is complaint-driven: under Sec. 14-121(b), a citizen files a sworn affidavit alleging the violation, and an animal control officer or law enforcement officer can then issue a citation ordering the owner to appear in Bartow County Magistrate Court. Community cats enrolled in a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program are exempted from public nuisance status under Sec. 14-44(b)(2), but that exemption is specific to cats and does not extend to dogs.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the noise-nuisance provision carries a minimum fine of $150.00 under Sec. 14-123, rising to $300.00 for a second violation and $450.00 for a third or subsequent violation, with a $1,000.00 statutory maximum and higher fines possible at the court's discretion. The court may add up to 60 days of confinement, up to 240 hours of community service, or a civil penalty of at least $250.00 per day for a continuing violation under an injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does my neighbor's dog have to bark before it's a violation in Bartow County?
How do I report a barking dog to the county?
What fine can a barking dog owner face?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bartow County
Compare Bartow County to another location·View the Georgia noise ordinances overview
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