Fountain, CO Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

150 makes it unlawful to keep a pet or hoofed animal whose loud, persistent noise disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, defined as the area within 500 feet of the exterior boundaries of the animal's residence. Before any citation can be issued, a humane or law enforcement officer must first confirm at least one witness, which can be the officer or the complainant, to the disturbance and issue a written warning that cites the section, states a complaint was received, and gives the date, time, animal and witness.

Posting the warning on the owner's premises counts as delivering it. The owner then gets three full days to fix the problem; only after that period, and only if the noise recurs, does the owner face actual enforcement, and the city can issue only one warning per residence within any enforcement period. No enforcement action can be brought more than six calendar months after a warning is given. At trial, a conviction requires testimonial or demonstrative evidence corroborating the complaint beyond the complainant or a household member, on top of proof a warning was already issued.

It is a full defense that the complaining neighbor provoked the animal into making the noise. Factors the court can weigh include the time of day, the noise's location, its frequency, and how long it lasts. On a second conviction, the court can order the owner to abate the nuisance within five days, and failing to do so is treated as contempt of court.