Shasta County, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

The County of Shasta (California) regulates barking and other animal noise through its animal ordinance, Shasta County Code Section 6.04.050 (Animal regulations), in Chapter 6.04 (Animals Generally). The code makes it unlawful for the owner or possessor of any animal to allow that animal to disturb the peace by loud and unreasonable howling, barking, or by making other loud and unreasonable noise. The standard is qualitative - 'loud and unreasonable' - rather than a fixed number of minutes. The ordinance also carves out exemptions: it does not apply to reasonable noises emanating from legally operated animal hospitals, animal shelters, humane societies, commercial animal establishments, or agricultural activities, which is important in a rural county with substantial farming and ranching. Enforcement is handled by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Animal Regulation Unit, which investigates barking and animal-noise complaints in the unincorporated area. Residents are typically asked to document the disturbance (dates, times, duration) so the County can confirm the noise is loud and unreasonable. Because animal noise that disturbs the neighborhood is also a public nuisance, persistent cases can additionally be addressed under the County's general nuisance authority in Chapter 8.28.