Columbia, MO Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Columbia, MO, 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
- Prohibited
- Habitual barking, howling, or yelping that disturbs
- Also covers
- Dogs that chase pedestrians or vehicles
- Exempt
- Pound, vet offices, licensed kennels/pet shops
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 30 days
Summary
Columbia, Missouri (Boone County) bans keeping a dog that habitually barks, howls, or yelps enough to annoy neighbors, or that chases pedestrians and vehicles: with exemptions for the city pound, vets, and licensed kennels.
No person shall own, keep or harbor any dog which, by loud, continual or frequent barking, howling or yelping, shall annoy or disturb any neighborhood or any person, or which habitually barks at or chases pedestrians, or vehicles, whatsoever, to the annoyance of such pedestrian or drivers of such vehicles; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to the city dog pound, veterinary offices and hospitals, or licensed kennels or pet shops.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 138).
Full Breakdown
Columbia Code of Ordinances § 5-56 makes it unlawful to own, keep, or harbor a dog that, by loud, continual, or frequent barking, howling, or yelping, annoys or disturbs any neighborhood or person, or that habitually barks at or chases pedestrians or vehicles to their annoyance. The prohibition exempts the city dog pound, veterinary offices and hospitals, and licensed kennels or pet shops. It sits in Chapter 5's dogs-and-cats article and cross-references Boone County, Missouri's general noise regulations at § 16-256 et seq., which cover animal noise citywide.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 5-56 falls under Chapter 5's general penalty, § 5-16: up to a $1,000 fine, 30 days' confinement, or both, on conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a barking dog illegal in Columbia, Missouri?
Are kennels exempt from Columbia's barking-dog rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia
Compare Columbia to another location·View the Missouri noise ordinances overview
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