Clark County, WA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Clark County, WA, also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances, define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Key Facts
- Continuous threshold
- 10 minutes
- Intermittent threshold
- One-half hour or more
- Applies
- Any time, day or night
- County code
- CCC 9.14.010(1)
- Exceptions
- Trespass, provocation, livestock, kennels
Summary
A dog that barks, bays, cries or howls continuously for 10 minutes, or intermittently for a half hour or more, to the disturbance of any person is a public disturbance noise in unincorporated Clark County, at any time of day or night.
It shall be deemed a public disturbance noise under this subsection for a dog to bark, bay, cry, howl or make any other noise continuously and/or incessantly for a period of ten (10) minutes or bark intermittently for one-half (1/2) hour or more to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night.
Full Breakdown
CCC 9.14.010(1) prohibits frequent, repetitive or continuous animal noise that unreasonably disturbs neighbors, and specifically deems a dog barking continuously for 10 minutes, or intermittently for one-half hour or more, a public disturbance. Exceptions apply if someone is trespassing/threatening to trespass, or the dog was teased or provoked. Livestock, licensed kennels, shelters, veterinary hospitals, pet shops and grooming parlors are exempt. Report barking-dog complaints to Clark County Code Enforcement / Animal Protection.
Violations & Fines
A public-disturbance barking-dog violation is a misdemeanor under CCC 9.14.030: $250 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must a dog bark to break the law?
Does provocation matter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
Compare Clark County to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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