Bonita Springs, FL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 8-9 of the Bonita Springs Code, titled Nuisance animals, holds the noise rule. Subsection (a) makes it unlawful for any owner or owner's agent to fail to care for or control owned animals that become a nuisance, and it makes the owner responsible for removing excreta deposited on public walks, recreation areas, private property or any other place where it creates a nuisance injurious to the public health. Subsection (b)(1) then makes it unlawful for any animal to make unreasonable disturbing noises, including barking, howling, whining, screeching or other utterances.

The test is a reasonable person standard. Section 8-9 prints no decibel level, minute count or hour of the day, so the question is whether the noise causes annoyance, discomfort or disturbance of the peace or sleep of a reasonable person. Section 8-1 defines animal as domesticated animals, including dogs, cats and ferrets, so the rule reaches all three. The rest of subsection (b) covers an animal damaging property of anyone other than its owner, roaming on school grounds or near school transportation vehicles, causing unsanitary conditions in its enclosure as determined by domestic animal services, and disturbing or turning over garbage containers. Subsection (b)(5) reaches keeping animals dangerous to public health, safety or welfare by virtue of number or types.

Domestic animal services is the enforcement agency under Section 8-3. Under Section 8-18(c), an animal control officer who determines a violation has occurred can issue a citation or a warning notice to the owner or agent. Section 8-1 defines a warning notice as a form served on an owner advising of an existing violation, and a 24-hour notice as a form left on the property giving the owner 24 hours to contact domestic animal services.

Aggressive barking is handled separately. Section 8-1 defines threatening and menacing behavior to include barking, growling or charging without provocation where it creates a reasonable apprehension of immediate injury, excluding an animal secured on its own property. Under Section 8-14(c), domestic animal services can investigate and order the owner to keep the animal restrained or confined, and the confinement must be completed within 24 hours of the notice.