Doral, FL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Doral, FL, 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
- Plainly audible threshold
- 100 feet from the property
- Habitual noise defined as
- 30+ minutes, or 3x 15-min spells in 3 days
- First offense fine
- $100
- Repeat offense fine
- $500 within a year
- Feeding counts as harboring
- Within preceding 14 days
Summary
Doral's noise code bans keeping a dog, animal, or bird whose frequent, habitual, or long continued noise is plainly audible 100 feet from the property under § 26-128(3). Noise counts as habitual once it runs past 30 minutes straight or three separate 15-minute bursts inside three days. Code compliance officers cite owners, with fines starting at $100.
(3)Animals, birds, etc. The owning, harboring, possessing or keeping of any dog, animal or bird which causes frequent, habitual or long continued noise which is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the building, structure or yard in which the dog, animal or bird is located. Without limiting the meaning of the terms used in this subsection, it is provided that:(a)A person shall be deemed to harbor, possess or keep an animal if the person: has, by any means, confined the animal to the property where the animal is located; or has, within the preceding 14 days, intentionally provided food to the animal or another animal of the same species on the property where the animal is located; and(b)Noise shall be deemed to be frequent, habitual or long continued if the noise continues: for a period in excess of 30 minutes; or for at least three separate periods, each in excess of 15 minutes, provided that the periods occur within the time span of three consecutive days.
Full Breakdown
Section 26-128(3) of the Doral Code of Ordinances declares it an unreasonably loud noise violation to own, harbor, possess, or keep any dog, animal, or bird that causes frequent, habitual, or long continued noise plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the building, structure, or yard where the animal is kept. The ordinance defines who counts as an owner for enforcement purposes: a person harbors, possesses, or keeps an animal if they have confined it to the property by any means, or if they have intentionally fed the animal, or another animal of the same species, on that property within the preceding 14 days.
That reach lets code compliance officers cite a caretaker even without formal ownership. The ordinance also fixes when noise becomes actionable: it is frequent, habitual, or long continued if it runs for more than 30 minutes straight, or for at least three separate periods each exceeding 15 minutes within a span of three consecutive days. A neighbor who wants to complain qualifies as a 'complainant' under § 26-127 if they are an owner, lessee, manager, or other person with a legal interest in the receiving property who is disturbed by the noise.
Under § 26-134, a code compliance officer who receives a complaint must investigate, and if the officer personally observes the barking meet the plainly-audible and duration thresholds, the officer warns the owner to stop immediately and issues a notice of violation. Section 26-135 sets civil fines of $100 for a first offense and $500 for a second or later offense within a year, with each hour of continuing noise eligible for a separate notice.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of § 26-128(3) draws a $100 civil fine; a second offense within one year rises to $500, and the city may issue a new notice of violation for each hour the barking continues. Three notices within one month make the case recurring, sending it to the special magistrate for a per diem fine under § 26-135(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does my dog have to bark before it violates Doral's noise code?
Can I be cited for a stray or neighbor's dog I feed?
What happens after a code compliance officer confirms a barking complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Doral
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Doral to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle barking dogs.