Evanston, IL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

City Code Section 9-4-13 puts the duty on the owner: all owners shall exercise proper care and control of their animals to prevent them from becoming a public nuisance. The Section then lists what counts as a nuisance: excessive, continuous or untimely barking, molesting passersby, chasing vehicles, habitually attacking other domestic animals, trespassing upon school grounds or trespassing upon private property in such manner as to damage property. Because Section 9-4-13 doesn't set its own fine, a violation is punished under the Chapter's general penalty at Section 9-4-20(A): not less than $10.00 nor more than $500.00 per offense, with a fresh offense committed every day the nuisance continues.

Evanston's separate general Noise Ordinance backs this up with its own animal-specific clause. City Code Section 9-5-20(K) declares it a noise violation to keep any animal or bird shut up or tied up in any yard, enclosure, stable, house or other place within the City which, by barking, howling, crying, singing or causing frequent or long continued noise, shall disturb the comfort or repose of persons in the vicinity. That provision sits inside the broader Section 9-5-20 nuisance-noise standard, which bars any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which annoys a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities. A dog owner facing repeated, serious nuisance findings, including barking complaints tied to cruelty or dangerous-dog violations, can also be pursued as a Problem Pet Owner under Section 9-4-21, which can mean surrendering every animal they own.