Irondequoit, NY Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 79-4E of the Town of Irondequoit Code, amended 8-15-2023 by L.L. No. 7-2023, sets numeric limits instead of a vague excessive noise test. The barking must occur continually and be audible beyond the property line of the premises where the dog is located. At night, between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., more than 10 minutes is a violation. In the daytime, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., more than 15 minutes is a violation. A shorter run still counts if it happens on more than five occasions within a given ten-day period and is attested to by complainants from two or more separate properties.

The owner has a defense under § 79-4E(2) by proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the only reason the dog was howling or barking was that a person was provoking it or it was otherwise being incited, or that it was acting as a guide dog, hearing dog, service dog or police work dog. Article I applies to every dog in the Town, service dogs included, under § 79-3.

To abate the nuisance, § 79-4E(3) authorizes Dog Control Officers to enter the yard and seize the dog from the yard where the violation is occurring when the officer cannot contact the owner or the owner is unable or unwilling to stop the noise. Under § 79-6, every complaint goes to the Animal Control Officer, who investigates and proceeds with civil or criminal enforcement. A seized unlicensed dog is held three days, and a licensed dog seven days if the owner was personally notified or nine days if notified by mail, under § 79-7C.

The Noise chapter backs this up in § 160-17: no person shall keep or permit the keeping of any animal or bird which makes excessive noise. Chapter 160 is administered and enforced by the Chief of Police under § 160-20.