Hoover, AL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Hoover, AL, 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
- Citation
- Code of Ordinances § 4-20
- Standard
- noise annoying to neighbors
- Covers
- any animal, not just dogs
- Enforced by
- animal control officers
Summary
Hoover makes it unlawful to keep any animal, including a dog, that habitually or intermittently makes noise loud enough to annoy ordinary neighbors, under Code of Ordinances Section 4-20.
It shall be unlawful for any person to confine, harbor or keep at any place or on any premises within the city and the police jurisdiction thereof any animal which habitually, continuously or intermittently makes or emits sounds or noises of such volume, nature or extent as to be a public nuisance by reason of being obnoxious or annoying to the ordinary persons in that neighborhood.
(Ord No. 82-343, § 5, 5-14-82; Ord. No. 88-695, 2-15-88)
State Law reference— Power of city to abate nuisances, Code of Ala. 1975, § 11-47-117 et seq.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Section 4-20 of the Hoover Code of Ordinances bars keeping any animal within the city or its police jurisdiction that habitually, continuously, or intermittently emits noise of a volume or nature that becomes a public nuisance to ordinary people nearby. The law doesn't name dogs specifically, it covers every animal, but chronic barking is the complaint animal control officers cite under it most. There's no decibel meter or time-of-day test; the standard is whether the noise would annoy an average neighbor. The city can abate the nuisance under its general nuisance-abatement authority.
Violations & Fines
A confirmed nuisance-noise complaint under Section 4-20 can bring a citation and the general Section 1-5 penalty; the city may also proceed under its nuisance-abatement powers to compel compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a decibel limit for barking dogs in Hoover?
Who enforces Hoover's animal noise rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hoover
Compare Hoover to another location·View the Alabama noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle barking dogs.