Barking dog rules in Fort Lauderdale, 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.
Section 17-7(2) makes it unlawful to keep any domesticated animal whose vocalizing is plainly audible at the complainant's property line and continues more than five minutes without interruption (averaging four vocalizations per minute) or twice a minute for 20 consecutive minutes, unless the animal was unreasonably provoked.
Fort Lauderdale Code Section 17-7(2) addresses animal noise. Unless the animal is unreasonably provoked, it is unlawful to own, keep, possess, or maintain any domesticated animal that 'vocalizes (howls, yelps, barks, squawks, or other noise)' where the vocalizing is plainly audible at or within the complainant's property line, and either (a) continues for more than five minutes without interruption - defined as an average of four vocalizations per minute - or (b) occurs two or more times per minute for 20 consecutive minutes. 'Plainly audible' is defined in Section 17-1 as any sound detectable by a person using unaided hearing. This duration-based standard is separate from the general dBA/dBC limits and is enforced on a complaint basis. Aggressive or chronic animal-nuisance cases may also fall under Broward County's animal-care regulations.
Enforced by noise control officers (including code enforcement and police) under Section 17-3; punishable under Section 17-2 by Section 1-6 / Chapter 11 penalties. Complaints are filed through the city's 311 / non-emergency line.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Broward County.
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