Barking dog rules in Indianapolis, IN — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Indianapolis Revised Code section 391-302(c)(4) makes it a violation to keep any animal or bird that makes unreasonable noise and to fail to prevent the noise from continuing after being asked to stop. There is no fixed time-duration threshold; the test is 'unreasonable noise.'
Animal noise, including barking dogs, is regulated under the consolidated noise law in section 391-302(c)(4), 'Animals or birds,' which prohibits 'the keeping of any animal or bird that makes unreasonable noise and the failure to prevent the continuation of the unreasonable noise after being asked to do so.' Unlike many cities, Indianapolis does not codify a numeric minute-count threshold (e.g., 20 minutes continuous) in the noise chapter; liability instead turns on the general definition of 'unreasonable noise' in section 391-302(a) plus the owner's failure to abate after being asked to stop. Barking-dog and other animal complaints in Indianapolis are typically handled by Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS), which also enforces the separate animal-care chapters of the Revised Code (Chapter 531), while the noise-nuisance charge proceeds under Chapter 391. The first violation carries a civil penalty through the ordinance violations bureau, with escalating fines for repeat violations under section 391-302(d).
First violation in any twelve-month period: civil penalty via the ordinance violations bureau. Second violation: not less than $250.00; subsequent violations: not less than $500.00 (section 391-302(d)). Animal Care Services may pursue separate animal-control remedies.
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