Indianapolis, IN Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

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).