Columbia, SC Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 8-96, in the city's general noise article, states plainly that 'noise from animals shall conform to the requirements and guidelines of Article III, Animal Control, of Chapter 4, Animals,' so Columbia doesn't run a separate decibel test for barking dogs the way it does for mechanical noise; the animal control nuisance rule is the operative standard. That rule lives in Section 4-70, which defines a nuisance broadly as an animal that 'disturbs the rights of, threatens the safety of or damages a member of the general public, or interferes with the ordinary use and enjoyment of their property.' Subsection (b) then lists prohibited acts by way of example, including, at (b)(6), 'allowing or permitting an animal to bark, whine, howl, crow or cackle in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion, or make other noise in such a manner so as to result in a serious annoyance or interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises.'

The nuisance-animal list in Section 4-70(b) is not limited to noise: it also covers letting an animal damage a neighbor's property, keeping a dangerous animal, maintaining unsanitary conditions, keeping an offensive number or density of animals, and letting an animal chase or attack pedestrians, bicycles or vehicles. Under Section 4-70(c), any pet found in continuing violation of the nuisance section, including a chronic barker, may be impounded and will not be released except with authorization from the animal control supervisor, a materially harsher consequence than a typical noise ticket.