Jefferson County, CO Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Jefferson County, CO, 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
- Animal sounds exempt
- Noise Policy §B.2.i excludes animal noise
- Barking handled by
- Animal Control Regulation, Section D.3
- First step
- Written warning notice, 3-day grace period
- Citation requires
- 2 witnesses from separate households
- Repeat complaint window
- 180 days; 2nd needs no new warning
- General noise fine
- $30-$300 graduated, Class 2 Petty Offense
Summary
Jefferson County's Noise Abatement Policy exempts 'the sound made by animals' from its decibel limits, so a barking dog isn't cited under the noise code. Habitual, offensive barking is instead a civil violation under the county's Animal Control Regulation, which requires a warning notice and signed witness complaints before a citation issues.
B. Excessive Sound Levels Prohibited. 1. No person shall operate any type of vehicle, machine, or device, or carry on any activity, or promote or facilitate the carrying on of any activity which makes sound in excess of the level specified in the Permissive Noise Levels Section. 2. Exceptions apply to: ... i. The sound made by animals. ... F. Violations, Penalty. 1. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Regulation commits a Class 2 Petty Offense. 2. All charges and proceeding relating to any violation of this Regulation may be cited for compliance with the penalty assessment procedures pursuant to Section 16-2-201, C.R.S., and as set forth herein. All persons who acknowledge guilt or are found guilty shall be punishable by a fine of $30.00 for each separate offense, plus customary court costs when applicable. A graduated fine schedule is to apply: a $30.00 increase for each recurring offense, beginning at $30.00 to a maximum of $300.00.
Full Breakdown
The Noise Abatement Policy (Part 3, Ch. 1, Sec. ' Because barking is exempt from the decibel rule, the county enforces habitual barking through its separate Animal Control Regulation instead. 3, a dog owner commits a petty offense if they fail to prevent their dog from disturbing the peace of any person by 'loud, habitual and persistent barking, howling, yelping, or whining,' whether the dog is on or off the owner's property. An Animal Control Officer must first issue a written warning notice naming the dog owner's address, the dog's description, and the date and duration of the complaint, giving the owner three days to fix the problem.
After that grace period, and within 180 days of the warning, a citation can issue only if two complaining witnesses from separate households in the immediate area sign complaints and agree to testify (one witness is enough if only one residence sits nearby). A second barking complaint within 180 days can be cited without a new warning. The rule doesn't apply to dogs working livestock, hunting dogs, police dogs, or dogs at licensed kennels, breeding, boarding, training, or veterinary facilities that otherwise comply with zoning and business rules.
Violations & Fines
A habitual-barking violation is a Petty Offense under the Animal Control Regulation, punishable the same as other Animal Control petty offenses. A general noise violation elsewhere in the code is a Class 2 Petty Offense carrying a graduated fine starting at $30 and rising $30 per repeat offense to a $300 cap, plus court costs, under the penalty assessment procedure of C.R.S. §16-2-201.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a barking dog a noise violation in Jefferson County?
What has to happen before I can cite a neighbor's barking dog?
Do working or hunting dogs get an exception to the barking rule?
What happens if the same dog gets a second barking complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Colorado noise ordinances overview
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