Carrollton, TX Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 91.011(A) makes it unlawful for an owner, or anyone with care, custody, or control of an animal, to let it 'unreasonably bark, howl, crow, or make any other unreasonably loud noise, unprovoked, that disturbs the peace and quiet of a person of ordinary sensibilities.' The ordinance defines 'unreasonable' with a time threshold: the noise must be recorded continuing for at least 15 minutes, or occurring in sporadic bursts spread across a 15-minute window, and 'recorded' can mean either video or audio. 'Unprovoked' excludes noise the complaining party deliberately caused, such as by standing along the fence line, taunting, teasing, or whistling at the animal.

Carrollton built real evidentiary hurdles into this ordinance. No prosecution can proceed unless there is a formal 'complaining witness' who completes a written complaint form, agrees in advance to testify in municipal or district court, and submits a recording of sufficient quality to authenticate the location, time, and date of the disturbance and its 15-minute duration. Conversely, a qualifying recording is 'prima facie evidence' both that the noise was unreasonable and that it constitutes a nuisance. The city can still decline to prosecute if the evidence is insufficient, the witness has a history of unreliability or failing to appear, the witness has harassed or intimidated the defendant, or the Legal Department otherwise determines that prosecutorial discretion favors dropping the case. Section 91.011(B) separately bans keeping an animal in a way that subjects neighbors to 'obnoxious odors.'