Huntsville, AL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Huntsville, 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
- Governing section
- Sec. 5-9, Noisy animals
- Prosecution requires
- sworn affidavit + judge's warrant
- First-offense fine
- $25.00
- Related nuisance list
- Sec. 5-8(4), excessive barking
Summary
Huntsville bans keeping any animal that habitually makes noise loud enough to disturb neighbors' peace and quiet, treating chronic barking as a prosecutable nuisance under Sec. 5-9.
It shall be unlawful and a nuisance for any person to keep on a residential lot or premises within the city any animal or group of animals, known to such person habitually, continuously or intermittently to make or emit sounds or noises of such volume and nature as unreasonably to interfere with or disturb the peace, quiet, comfort and repose of a person of ordinary sensibilities within the neighborhood in the reasonable use and enjoyment of adjacent property.(b)It shall be unlawful and a nuisance for any person to keep on any tract, lot or premises within the city any animal or group of animals, whether housed in a corral, kennel, building or other structure, under such circumstances that the sounds or noises emitted by such animals are of such volume and nature as unreasonably to interfere with or disturb the peace, quiet, comfort and repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities in the reasonable use and enjoyment of any adjacent property used for residential purposes.(c)Any owner or person in charge violating this section shall be guilty of maintaining a nuisance; however, no prosecution shall be commenced and no arrest made pursuant to this section except upon affidavit made before and warrant issued by a municipal judge or magistrate of the city. (Ord. No. 95-693, § 5-14, 10-12-1995)
Cross reference— Noise, § 12-231 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 30 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 5-9 of the city code makes it unlawful and a nuisance to keep an animal on a residential lot that habitually, continuously, or intermittently emits sounds loud enough to unreasonably interfere with a neighbor's peace, quiet, comfort, and repose. The same rule applies to animals kept in a kennel, corral, or other structure on any lot near residential property. Sec. 5-8(4) separately lists excessive or untimely barking, whining, howling, crowing, or cackling as a public nuisance. Prosecution requires a sworn complaint and a warrant from a municipal judge or magistrate, not just an officer's citation.
Violations & Fines
Charged as maintaining a nuisance animal (violation code 208): $25 first offense, $50 second offense, $100 third or subsequent offense, set by municipal court under Sec. 5-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Huntsville Animal Services just ticket a barking dog?
Does the noise have to happen at night to count?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntsville
Compare Huntsville to another location·View the Alabama noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Madison County handle barking dogs.