Barking dog rules in Buncombe County, 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.
Keeping any animal or bird that, by frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the comfort and repose of neighbors is a prohibited noise in unincorporated Buncombe County. Farm-animal noise is expressly exempt.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 26-181(b)(3) declares that the keeping of any animal or bird causing 'frequent or long continued noise' that disturbs neighbors is a loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noise. There is no fixed number of minutes; the Sheriff applies the general reasonableness factors of Sec. 26-181. Noise from farming operations, including farm animals, is exempt under Sec. 26-184(6). Buncombe County Animal Services separately handles dangerous-dog and running-at-large complaints. Inside incorporated towns, the town's own animal-noise rule applies.
Class 3 misdemeanor, fine up to $200 under Sec. 26-186; each day is a separate violation. Enforced by the Buncombe County Sheriff.
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See how Buncombe County's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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