Merced County, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Persistent animal noise in unincorporated Merced County is addressed in the County's Noise Control chapter rather than only the animal code. Section 10.60.040 lists, among prohibited acts, 'owning, possessing, or harboring any animal or bird that, frequently or for continued duration, generates sounds that create a noise disturbance across a residential real property line.' The standard is qualitative: rather than counting minutes of barking, enforcement turns on whether the sound is frequent or continued and whether it amounts to a noise disturbance affecting a neighboring residence. The same chapter's general thresholds (Section 10.60.030, background plus 10 dBA by day and 5 dBA at night) provide context for what counts as a disturbance. Because the ordinance exempts agricultural activities and operations on agricultural property (Section 10.60.050), livestock and working animals on farms are generally outside its reach, but household dogs and birds at rural residences are covered. Complaints in unincorporated communities are typically handled by Merced County Animal Services and the Sheriff's Office, and violations are enforced through the general penalty provisions of Chapter 1.28.