Denver, CO Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Denver, CO, 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 section
- DRMC § 8-17, § 8-18
- Enforcing agency
- Denver Animal Protection
- Presumption window
- 10:30 p.m.–7:30 a.m.
- Citation proof needed
- Officer witness or 2 households
- Chronic-nuisance consequence
- Impoundment after notice
Summary
Denver bans letting a dog disturb a person or neighborhood with loud, persistent barking, howling, or yelping, and dogs that keep it up after a citation can be impounded as a chronic nuisance.
It shall be unlawful for an owner or keeper of any dog to fail to prevent such dog from disturbing any person or neighborhood by loud and persistent or habitual barking, howling, or yelping.(b)An administrative citation or a summons and complaint issued for violation of this section shall be:(1)Signed by an animal protection officer that personally witnessed the violation;(2)Supported by at least two (2) identified complaining witnesses from separate households; or(3)Supported by one (1) complaining witness if there also exists competent evidence admissible at trial to prove a prima facie case of a violation of this section.(c)In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the fact that any loud dog barking which disturbed any person or neighborhood occurred either:(1)Between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.; or(2)When none of the residents who reside at the place where the barking dog is being kept are at home; shall create a rebuttable presumption that the dog barking was unlawful.
(Ord. No. 672-18, § 1, 7-16-18)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 8-17 makes it unlawful for an owner or keeper to fail to prevent a dog from disturbing any person or neighborhood by loud and persistent or habitual barking, howling, or yelping. A citation requires either an animal protection officer's own witnessed observation, two complaining witnesses from separate households, or one witness plus corroborating evidence. Barking between 10:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., or while no resident is home, creates a rebuttable presumption the barking was unlawful. A dog with a prior § 8-17 conviction plus further multi-household complaints is a chronic nuisance under § 8-18 and can be impounded after a 72-to-120-hour notice to abate, with a right to an administrative hearing.
Violations & Fines
First offense is a citation under § 8-17. Repeat/chronic barking after a conviction plus new complaints lets Denver Animal Protection issue a notice to abate (72-120 hrs) and then impound the dog under § 8-18, with costs assessable against the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many neighbors have to complain before Denver cites a barking dog?
Can Denver take my dog away for barking?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
Compare Denver to another location·View the Colorado noise ordinances overview
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