Fountain Valley, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 7.04.030(h) sets the fine schedule for barking dogs and animal nuisances. It applies to violations of Subarticle 2 of Article 2 of Division 1 of Title 4 of the Orange County codified ordinances, which the Fountain Valley City Council adopted by reference in § 7.04.010 under Government Code Sections 50022.1 through 50022.9. The city's own text does not reproduce the county barking standard, so this page quotes the fine schedule only. Section 7.04.020 states that the adopted county ordinances apply within the City of Fountain Valley in the same manner as in the unincorporated county, and § 7.04.010 requires a certified copy to be kept at the office of the city clerk for public inspection.

The fines climb per citation within the same twelve-month period: $250 for a first offense, $275 for a second, $303 for a third, $333 for a fourth, $366 for a fifth, and $403 for a sixth and every later offense. An unpaid fine that remains unpaid thirty days after it is due under Section 4-1-59.7 of the county code carries a late penalty equal to the fine, so a first-offense $250 fine becomes $500. When a hearing officer upholds a citation in an administrative hearing, the late penalty applies if the fine is not paid within thirty days from the end of the hearing. The city can pursue any legal and equitable remedy to collect unpaid fines and penalties.