Burleson, TX Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Burleson, TX, 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
- Trigger
- Animal sound for ten minutes or longer
- Pattern
- Frequent, repetitive or continuous basis
- Animals covered
- Dogs, roosters, any other bird or animal
- Decibel reading
- Not required for enforcement
- Complaint route
- Sworn statement to a code officer or police officer
- Maximum fine
- $2,000.00 per event or violation
Summary
In the City of Burleson, Texas, it is unlawful to keep any dog, rooster, or other bird or animal that creates a bark, cry, crow or other sound on a frequent, repetitive or continuous basis for ten minutes or longer. A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.00, and each day is a separate offense.
b. Animals. It shall be unlawful to keep, or to permit the keeping of, any dog(s), or rooster(s), or any other bird or animal that creates any bark, cry, crow, or other sound on a frequent, repetitive or continuous basis for ten minutes or longer. ... (2) An offense under this section is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000.00 for each event or violation. (3) Each occurrence of a violation, or, in the case of multiple violations, each day a violation occurs or continues, constitutes a separate offense and may be punished separately.
Full Breakdown
Burleson Code of Ordinances § 34-191(d)(2)b makes it unlawful to keep, or to permit the keeping of, any dog(s), rooster(s), or any other bird or animal that creates any bark, cry, crow or other sound on a frequent, repetitive or continuous basis for ten minutes or longer. The ten-minute mark is the number that turns a noisy animal into an offense, and the rule reaches roosters and other birds as well as dogs.
Section 34-191(a)(3) sets the standard: a noise or sound is a nuisance when it becomes disturbing to a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities at the property line of the complainant. Subsection (d)(1) adds that a decibel level is not required for enforcement, so a complaint about a barking dog turns on duration and effect, not a meter reading.
The animal control chapter carries a parallel rule. Section 6-12(c) provides that a person commits an offense by keeping any animal or bird which, by causing frequent or long, continued noise, shall disturb the comfort of a person of ordinary sensibilities in the immediate vicinity. Section 6-12 also makes it an offense to keep an animal in a way that annoys a person of ordinary sensibilities through accumulated animal wastes causing foul or offensive odors.
Enforcement runs through § 34-191(f): the city manager or designee, any city code officer or any police officer can enforce the section. A citizen who witnesses a noise violation can submit a sworn statement with supporting documentation to a code officer or police officer of the city for municipal prosecution. Under (g), the municipal court also holds civil jurisdiction over continuing nuisance violations.
Violations & Fines
Under § 34-191(h), an offense is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000.00 for each event or violation. Each occurrence, or in the case of multiple violations each day a violation occurs or continues, is a separate offense and can be punished separately. A violation is also a nuisance, and prosecution does not limit the city's right to abate it, including through injunctive or other civil relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog bark before it violates Burleson's noise ordinance?
Does a decibel reading prove a barking complaint in Burleson?
How does a neighbor report a barking dog in the City of Burleson?
What is the penalty for a repeat barking violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burleson
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Burleson to another location·View the Texas noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.