Dearborn County, IN Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

The barking rule in Dearborn County is a definition, not a stand-alone noise standard. Section 90.16 of the Dearborn County Code defines a public nuisance as any animal that, unprovoked, unreasonably annoys humans, endangers the life or health of other animals or persons, or substantially interferes with the rights of citizens, other than their owners, to enjoyment of life or property. Division (D) then lists an animal that makes disturbing noises, including continued and repeated howling, barking, whining or other utterances causing unreasonable annoyance, disturbance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored.

Two features define the test. First, the word unprovoked: noise from an animal that is being provoked does not meet the definition. Second, the noise must be continued and repeated and must disturb people close to the premises. The code prints no decibel reading, no time-of-day window and no number of minutes of barking, so the standard is unreasonable annoyance to nearby neighbors.

The same section lists other nuisance conduct that is enforced the same way: being found at large on more than two occasions, damaging property of anyone other than the owner, harassing or intimidating neighbors, pedestrians or passersby, and attacking other animals.

Enforcement runs through Dearborn County Animal Control. Under § 90.99(A), Animal Control notifies the owner or harborer in writing, citing the pertinent chapter section and any fines due or actions needed. If the owner does not comply, the Animal Control Officer files the ordinance violation in a court in Dearborn County. Section 90.04 states the chapter applies in both incorporated and unincorporated parts of the county unless a municipality prohibits enforcement or adopts a substantially similar ordinance.