Fontana, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Fontana, CA, 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
- Standard
- Habitual barking, whining or loud animal noise
- Trigger
- Disturbs neighbors' peace or ordinary sensibilities
- Owner liability
- Applies to keeping, suffering or permitting the noise
- Time limit
- None; applies day or night
- Penalty
- Infraction ($500) or misdemeanor ($1,000/6 months)
Summary
Fontana makes it unlawful to keep an animal that habitually barks, whines or otherwise makes loud, excessive or intrusive noise disturbing the neighbors' peace and quiet. Police and animal control enforce the rule under the city's general noise article, and violations can bring an infraction citation, misdemeanor prosecution or an administrative fine.
(3)Animals, birds, etc. Keeping any animal or allowing any animal to be kept or suffering, or permitting any animal to remain upon the premises under the control of a person, when such animal habitually barks, whines or makes loud, excessive, impulsive or intrusive noises in such a manner as to disturb the peace and quiet of the neighbors surrounding or in the vicinity of such premises, or whose barking or howling or other sound or cry interferes with any person of ordinary sensitiveness in the reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of life and property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 | Zoning and Development Code: Supplement 17).
Full Breakdown
Fontana's animal-noise rule sits inside the general noise article, not the animal control chapter, and it reaches any person who keeps, or simply allows or 'suffers' to remain, an animal that habitually barks, whines or makes loud, excessive or intrusive noise disturbing the neighbors (Sec. 18-63(b)(3)). The provision applies whenever barking, howling or other cries interfere with a person of ordinary sensitiveness enjoying their property, and it carries no time-of-day limit, unlike the article's construction-hours and sound-truck rules, so daytime barking is treated the same as nighttime barking.
It is enforced the same way as every other noise violation: Sec. 18-62(a) makes causing a loud, excessive or intrusive disturbance unlawful citywide, and Sec. 18-62(c) lets the city pursue an administrative fine under Sec. 2-442 in addition to criminal prosecution. Because the standard turns on 'habitual' conduct disturbing surrounding neighbors rather than a fixed decibel threshold, officers typically build a record of repeat complaints or their own observations before citing an owner, and the person in control of the animal, not necessarily its legal owner, can be held responsible.
The rule applies to any premises within the city where an animal is kept, suffered or permitted to remain, with no zone or hour exempted.
Violations & Fines
A violation is an infraction or misdemeanor under Sec. 18-62(b) and Sec. 1-7: up to $500 for an infraction or a $1,000 fine plus up to six months in jail for a misdemeanor. The city can also levy a separate administrative fine under Sec. 2-442 for the ongoing nuisance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many barking complaints does it take to cite a dog owner in Fontana?
Does Fontana's barking dog rule apply only at night?
What happens if I ignore a barking dog citation in Fontana?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fontana
California rules heatmap·Compare Fontana to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle barking dogs.