Knox County, TN Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Knox County Code § 6-33, "Animals creating a nuisance," makes it a violation for the owner or custodian of any animal or livestock to habitually bark, whine, meow, squawk or cause other objectionable noise that becomes a nuisance to a neighboring resident. The section defines "habitually" precisely: continuous noise for a period of ten minutes, or intermittent noise for a half hour or more. The rule is not limited to dogs; it covers any animal or livestock kept in the county, and a separate clause in the same section makes it a violation for an animal to disturb the peace by destroying or soiling property, chasing people or vehicles, or running at large.

Section 6-33 also requires an owner to confine a female dog or cat in heat in a building or secure enclosure so it cannot reach a male animal, except for intentional controlled breeding. Enforcement runs through the animal control division of the Knox County Sheriff's Office under § 6-47: any violation of the animal control article is a civil infraction, and an animal control officer or law enforcement officer with probable cause may issue a citation. The Knox County General Sessions Court has jurisdiction over these citations.

A cited owner who does not appear in court waives the right to contest the citation, and the judge may enter a default judgment and impose the civil penalty at that point; an order to show cause may also issue. If the penalty is paid, the case is dismissed. The definitions in § 6-31 make clear the animal control division sits inside the sheriff's office and that a third-party contractor may also be authorized to enforce the article.