Concord, NC Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Concord, NC, 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
- Standard applied
- Unreasonably loud and raucous, no set decibel level
- Who is liable
- Owner, controller, or caretaker of the animal
- Licensed-facility exemption
- Shelters, kennels, vet hospitals, pet shops
- Complaint channel
- Concord Police Department investigation
- First-offense fine
- $10.00 misdemeanor
Summary
Concord bans unreasonably loud and raucous noise from any animal or bird whose owner or caretaker lets it continue. There's no fixed decibel or duration test; a barking dog complaint turns on whether the noise is unreasonable, and licensed kennels, shelters, and vet hospitals are exempt.
Animals and birds: Unreasonably loud and raucous noise emitted by an animal or bird for which a person is responsible. A person is responsible for an animal if the person owns, controls or otherwise cares for the animal or bird. Sounds made by animals or birds in animal shelters, kennels, veterinary hospitals, pet shops or pet kennels, licensed under and in compliance with licensing and permitting provisions set forth in this Code, are exempt from this subsection.
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 30-204(8) makes it a per se noise violation for a person responsible for an animal or bird, meaning anyone who owns, controls, or otherwise cares for it, to allow it to emit unreasonably loud and raucous noise. The section carves out an exemption for sounds made by animals or birds in animal shelters, kennels, veterinary hospitals, pet shops, or pet kennels that are licensed and in compliance with the city's licensing and permitting provisions, recognizing that some baseline animal noise from a properly regulated facility is expected.
Because Sec. 30-204(8) does not attach a decibel meter or a fixed duration, enforcement folds back into the general factors in Sec. 30-203(b): how close the barking is to sleeping areas or noise-sensitive uses like schools and hospitals, the zoning and land use of the area, the time of day, how long the barking lasts, and whether it is recurring, intermittent, or constant. A resident can report a barking-dog problem to the Concord Police Department under Sec. 30-208, which investigates and, if it finds probable cause, may issue either a criminal or civil citation.
Sec. 30-209 requires officers to give the responsible party a chance to cease or remedy the violation, such as bringing the dog inside, before an arrest or citation follows.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the animal-noise rule in Sec. 30-204(8) is a misdemeanor punishable by a $10.00 fine under Sec. 30-210, escalating to a misdemeanor fine of up to $500.00 for a second or later violation, with an added possible civil penalty of $500.00 recoverable as a debt in the nature of a civil action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific decibel limit for barking dogs in Concord?
Who is responsible if my dog barks and disturbs neighbors in Concord?
Are licensed kennels exempt from Concord's barking dog rule?
How do I report a barking dog complaint in Concord?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Concord
Compare Concord to another location·View the North Carolina noise ordinances overview
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