Davis, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Davis, CA, 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
- Governing law
- DMC § 24.02.010(a)
- Night threshold
- 3+ of 5 min per 10-min period, 9pm-7am
- Day threshold
- 5+ of 10 min per 15-min period, 7am-9pm
- Underlying decibel limit
- 50 dBA night / 55 dBA day, residential
- 3rd violation in 1 year
- Misdemeanor
Summary
Davis sets a decibel-and-duration test for animal noise under Municipal Code Section 24.02.010. A dog's sustained barking that exceeds the noise limit for more than three minutes out of five at night, or five out of ten minutes by day, and is audible on a neighbor's property, is a prima facie violation.
(a) No person shall keep or maintain in any residential neighborhood, or permit the keeping of, upon any premises owned, occupied or controlled by such person, any animal or fowl otherwise permitted to be kept which, by any sound, cry or behavior shall cause annoyance or discomfort. The vocalization of a dog, or comparable sounds by other animals or fowl, for more than three out of five minutes, on a sustained basis during a ten minute measurement period, in excess of the allowable decibel limit, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day, or for more than five out of ten minutes, on a sustained basis during a fifteen minute measurement period, in excess of the allowable decibel limit, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., or for fifteen minutes of sustained vocalizations, which sounds are audible within the property plane on property other than that owned, occupied, or controlled by such person, or inside any dwelling unit on the same property, but not owned, occupied or controlled by such person, shall constitute a prima facie violation of the provisions of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4915048; v22 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
010(a) makes it unlawful to keep any animal or fowl in a residential neighborhood whose sound, cry or behavior causes annoyance or discomfort to others, and it sets a specific test for dog vocalization. , barking that is sustained for more than three out of five minutes during a ten-minute measurement period and exceeds the allowable decibel limit is a prima facie violation. , the threshold loosens slightly to more than five out of ten minutes during a fifteen-minute measurement period at the same excess decibel level, or fifteen minutes of sustained vocalization regardless of decibel level.
In every case the sound must be audible within the property plane of a neighboring property, or inside a dwelling unit on the same property that is not owned or controlled by the dog's keeper, to count. The 'allowable decibel limit' referenced here is the residential noise ceiling of Table No. and fifty-five dBA the rest of the day, measured at the property plane. 010(b), if the owner or the person caring for the animal is not present when a violation occurs, the police or code compliance department can give the written notice of violation or citation to someone else at the residence or post it in a conspicuous location on the property.
Violations & Fines
A first and second barking-dog violation within a year is an infraction under Section 24.01.030, fined up to the amount set by Government Code Section 36900. A third violation within that same one-year period becomes a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine, imprisonment in county jail, or both, up to the maximum set by Government Code Section 36901, and each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does my dog have to bark before it's a violation in Davis?
What decibel level counts as excessive under Davis's dog noise rule?
Can I be cited if I'm not home when my dog barks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davis
California rules heatmap·Compare Davis to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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