Fort Collins, CO Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Fort Collins, 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
- Bans
- Excessive barking, howling, whining noise
- Applies
- On or off owner's property
- Trigger
- Requires a citizen complaint
- Requirement
- Complainant must sign affidavit
- Confidentiality
- Kept until citation is issued
- Penalty
- Civil infraction, up to $2,650
Summary
Fort Collins bans letting an animal make unreasonable noise or disturb the peace by barking, whining, howling or similar sounds under Municipal Code § 4-94, whether the animal is on or off its owner's property. Enforcement requires an actual citizen complaint, and a citation only issues if the complainant signs a sworn statement.
No owner or keeper of an animal shall permit such animal to make unreasonable noise or disturb the peace and quiet of any person by barking, whining, howling, yowling, squawking or making any other noise in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion, whether the animal is on or off the owner's premises. ... No owner or keeper shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this Section unless the investigation of such violation was undertaken by the City because of a citizen complaint.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 155 | Transitional Land Use Code (for project before May 17, 2024): Supplement 61 | Traffic Code: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
" Subsection (b) defines "unreasonable noise" as any sound "of such level and duration as to be, or tend to be, injurious to human health or welfare, or which would unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life or property," and directs consideration of the time of day, the noise's duration and level, and any other factor showing its disruptive effect. " The Code cross-references Chapter 20's general nuisance provisions immediately after this Section, meaning a chronic barking complaint can also be pursued as a public nuisance.
Violations & Fines
Section 4-94 does not appear on the § 4-196 misdemeanor exception list, so a barking-dog citation is charged as a civil infraction, carrying a fine of up to $2,650 under § 1-15(e) plus court costs. Because subsection (c) requires a citizen complaint and a signed affidavit before a citation issues, an officer generally cannot cite based on their own observation alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report a neighbor's barking dog anonymously?
Will the City investigate a barking dog without a complaint?
What counts as "unreasonable noise" from a dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Collins
Compare Fort Collins to another location·View the Colorado noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Larimer County handle barking dogs.