Issaquah, WA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

The animal noise rule is item F of IMC 9.22.010, Public disturbance noises – Restriction. The section opens by making it unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound that is a public disturbance noise. For a dog owner, that means the person in possession of the property where the animal lives is the one the rule reaches, whether or not the owner personally made the noise.

Subsection F defines the offending sound as frequent, repetitive or continuous noise made by any animal. It is not limited to dogs: the text says "any animal." The noise must also unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of property owners or possessors. A single bark or a brief episode does not meet the first element, and noise that does not reach an unreasonable level of disturbance fails the second. The code prints no decibel figure, no clock-time window and no minimum number of minutes, so the test is the frequency of the sound and the effect on neighbors.

The exemption is narrow and specific. Sound is exempt when it originates from lawfully operated animal shelters, kennels, pet shops and veterinary clinics. The word lawfully matters: a business operating without the approvals it needs does not get the exemption. A residential keeper of several animals is not in the exempt list.

The section ends with a proviso that the enumeration of acts and noises is not to be construed as excluding other acts and noises which offend the public peace. Enforcement of the general code penalty structure follows IMC 1.06.010, and IMC 1.06.030 adds that any condition maintained in violation of the code is a public nuisance with all remedies for abatement available.