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Boise, ID Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Q: How long does a dog have to bark before it's a violation in Boise?

Boise City Code section 5-1-13(A) sets two thresholds: noise emitted incessantly for 30 minutes with individual interruptions under 20 seconds, or noise emitted intermittently for 60 minutes or more within a 24-hour period, in either case disturbing a neighbor beyond the property line.

Q: What proof does a Humane Officer need to cite a barking-dog complaint?

A Humane Officer can act on signed complaints from two unrelated adult witnesses in different residences, one witness with audio or video proof, one witness plus the officer's own observation, or the officer's own personal witnessing of the noise, under section 5-1-13(C).

Q: Are farm animals exempt from Boise's noise-nuisance rule?

Yes. Section 5-1-13(B) exempts animals being teased or provoked, animals on land zoned for agricultural use, animals at a properly permitted shelter, and animals at a properly zoned commercial boarding kennel from the noise-nuisance rule.

Q: What is the penalty for a barking-dog nuisance conviction in Boise?

Because section 5-1-13 is not one of the infractions listed in section 5-1-25(A), a violation is a misdemeanor under 5-1-25(B), punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in the county jail, or both, under the general penalty in section 1-4-1.

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Barking dog rules in Boise, ID, 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 1: 30 min continuous, gaps <20 sec
Noise threshold 2: 60 min within 24 hrs
Exempt: ag-zoned land, shelters, kennels
Proof needed: 2 witnesses or 1 + recording
Classification: misdemeanor, not infraction
Max penalty: $1,000 fine / 6 mo jail

Summary

Boise treats an animal's excessive barking, baying, crying or howling as a public nuisance under Boise City Code section 5-1-13 once it runs 30 straight minutes with only short breaks, or 60 minutes total in a day, and disturbs a neighbor. A Humane Officer needs two witnesses, a recording, or a personal observation before writing the citation.

5-1-13: NUISANCES: It shall be unlawful for any animal owner to fail to exercise proper care and control of his or her animal to prevent it from becoming a public nuisance. ... A. Excessive Noise Nuisances: An animal that barks, bays, cries, howls, or emits any excessive animal noise audible beyond the boundaries of the property on which the animal is situated for an extended period of time, day or night, thereby unreasonably disturbing another person. For purposes of this section "extended period of time" means either: 1. Any barking, baying, crying, howling, or other animal noise emitted by one or more animals incessantly for thirty (30) minutes with individual interruptions of less than twenty (20) seconds at a time during the thirty (30) minute period; or 2. Any barking, baying, crying, howling or other animal noise emitted by one or more animals intermittently for sixty (60) minutes or more within a twenty-four (24) hour period. B. Exception: This subsection shall not apply to animals that are being teased or provoked, are maintained on land zoned for agricultural purposes, are kept at a properly permitted animal shelter, ... or a properly zoned commercial boarding kennel.

Source: Boise City Code Title 5 Chapter 1 Barking DogsView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-31: Code current through: Ord. 20-26, passed 6-9-2026).

Full Breakdown

" That phrase has two definitions: noise emitted incessantly for 30 minutes with individual gaps of less than 20 seconds, or noise emitted intermittently for 60 minutes or more within any 24-hour period. Subsection B exempts animals that are being teased or provoked, animals kept on land zoned for agricultural use, animals at a properly permitted shelter, and animals at a properly zoned commercial boarding kennel. Subsection C sets the proof a Humane Officer needs before charging a noise-nuisance violation: signed complaints from at least two unrelated adult witnesses living in different residences, a signed complaint from one adult witness backed by audio or video of the violation, a signed complaint from one witness plus the Humane Officer's own observation of the nuisance continuing (without needing to personally witness the full 30- or 60-minute window), or the Humane Officer personally witnessing and signing the complaint.

The same section also reaches other animal nuisances beyond noise: an animal that threatens passersby, chases vehicles, cyclists, scooters or pedestrians, attacks other animals, trespasses and damages property, is left to accumulate an excessive amount of feces that creates odor or a health hazard off the property, or an unspayed female dog in heat that an owner fails to confine away from male dogs outside a planned breeding. A cat that is not spayed or neutered, is over four months old, and is allowed outdoors unsupervised is separately deemed a nuisance feral cat, letting the Animal Shelter spay, neuter, ear-mark and release it.

Violations & Fines

Boise City Code section 5-1-13 is not on the infraction list in section 5-1-25(A), so a confirmed noise or nuisance violation is prosecuted as a misdemeanor under 5-1-25(B), carrying the general Title 5 penalty of up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in the county jail, or both, under section 1-4-1. The Humane Officer cites the owner, and repeat nuisance complaints can support later impoundment action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dog have to bark before it's a violation in Boise?

Boise City Code section 5-1-13(A) sets two thresholds: noise emitted incessantly for 30 minutes with individual interruptions under 20 seconds, or noise emitted intermittently for 60 minutes or more within a 24-hour period, in either case disturbing a neighbor beyond the property line.

What proof does a Humane Officer need to cite a barking-dog complaint?

A Humane Officer can act on signed complaints from two unrelated adult witnesses in different residences, one witness with audio or video proof, one witness plus the officer's own observation, or the officer's own personal witnessing of the noise, under section 5-1-13(C).

Are farm animals exempt from Boise's noise-nuisance rule?

Yes. Section 5-1-13(B) exempts animals being teased or provoked, animals on land zoned for agricultural use, animals at a properly permitted shelter, and animals at a properly zoned commercial boarding kennel from the noise-nuisance rule.

What is the penalty for a barking-dog nuisance conviction in Boise?

Because section 5-1-13 is not one of the infractions listed in section 5-1-25(A), a violation is a misdemeanor under 5-1-25(B), punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in the county jail, or both, under the general penalty in section 1-4-1.

Sources & Official References

[1]Boise City Code Title 5, Chapter 1 (American Legal Publishing)

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All Boise rules

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