Benton County, OR Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Benton County, OR, 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
- Governing section
- Benton County Code § 9.206
- Definition section
- § 9.005(8)(a) "Barking Dog"
- Enforcing agency
- Sheriff's Office Animal Control Program
- Citation window
- 3 months from violation
- Fine
- up to $500, $1,000 continuing
- Former section
- § 9.207 repealed by Ord. 2012-0245
Summary
Unincorporated Benton County bans owning, keeping or harboring a barking dog under County Code § 9.206, part of the public nuisance section that also covers dogs in heat and dogs that menace people. The Sheriff's Office Animal Control Program enforces the rule with citations, and a conviction carries a fine of up to $500 per incident, or $1,000 for a continuing violation, under § 9.820.
(a)"Barking Dog" means a dog which repeatedly and for prolonged periods barks, or makes other noise, without provocation which disturbs the peace and quiet of any nearby County Resident. ... 9.206 - Public Nuisance. No dog owner shall permit their dog in estrus (heat) to become an attraction to other dogs; shall own, keep or harbor a barking dog; nor allow their dog to menace by any behavior which would cause fear of imminent danger in a reasonable person. ... Violation of BCC Chapter 9 shall be deemed a violation of County laws and is punishable upon conviction of a fine of $500 for each separate violation and a fine of $1,000 for a continuing violation; each day of continued violation is a separate offense and is separately punishable, but may be joined in a single prosecution.
Full Breakdown
005(8)(a)). 207, but that was repealed by Ordinance 2012-0245 and its substance folded into the public-nuisance section that governs today. Enforcement runs through the Benton County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Program. 115). Because chronic barking is defined by pattern, 'repeatedly and for prolonged periods,' a single isolated bark is not enough to support a citation; deputies look for a sustained disturbance to a nearby resident's peace and quiet. 125. 010 makes clear the county's ordinance supersedes conflicting state statute within the county.
Violations & Fines
A public-nuisance citation under § 9.206 carries the same penalty schedule as the rest of Chapter 9: a fine of up to $500 for a single violation and $1,000 for a continuing violation under § 9.820, with each day of ongoing barking counted as a separate, separately punishable offense that can still be joined into one prosecution. Courts may add other compliance conditions beyond the fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a nuisance barking dog in Benton County?
Who do I call about a barking dog in unincorporated Benton County?
Can I be fined more than once for the same barking dog?
Is there a separate barking-dogs ordinance in Benton County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Benton County
Compare Benton County to another location·View the Oregon noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.