Kansas City, MO Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Kansas City, MO, also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances, define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Key Facts
- Complainant radius
- within 100 yards
- Complaint form
- written, sworn statement
- Fine range
- $75–$1,000
- Max jail
- 180 days
- Noise standard
- no decibel limit, case-by-case
Summary
Kansas City bans keeping any animal whose noise is so loud, continuous or untimely it disturbs a neighbor. Only a neighbor within 100 yards can trigger a citation, and only after a written, sworn statement.
No person shall own or keep any animal which by making excessive noise disturbs a neighbor.
The following definitions and conditions shall be specially applicable to enforcement of the prohibition set out in this section:
(1)The phrase "excessive noise" shall mean and include any noise produced by an animal which is so loud and continuous or untimely as to disturb a neighbor.(2)The term "neighbor" shall mean an individual residing in a residence structure which is within 100 yards of the property on which the animal is kept or harbored and who does in writing state that he will testify under oath to the animal making excessive noise.(3)If a general ordinance summons is issued charging violation of this section, a subpoena shall also be issued to the disturbed neighbor to testify in the matter. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 6.28; Ord. No. 48707, 6-22-78; Ord. No. 65201, 3-1-90; Ord. No. 980059, § 1, 2-12-98)
Cross reference— Noise control, ch. 46.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 139 | Zoning and Development Code: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Kansas City Code of Ordinances § 14-30 makes it unlawful to own or keep any animal that disturbs a neighbor with excessive noise, defined as noise "so loud and continuous or untimely as to disturb a neighbor." Enforcement is complaint-driven and narrowly defined: a "neighbor" is someone living in a residence structure within 100 yards of the property where the animal is kept, who puts in writing that they will testify under oath that the animal is making excessive noise. If a summons is issued, that neighbor is also subpoenaed to testify at the hearing. There is no decibel meter or objective noise threshold, the case rests on the neighbor's sworn account.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 14-30 is punished under the chapter's general penalty, § 14-51(a): a fine of not less than $75 and not more than $1,000, imprisonment up to 180 days, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kansas City set a decibel limit for barking dogs?
Who is allowed to file a barking dog complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kansas City
Compare Kansas City to another location·View the Missouri noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jackson County handle barking dogs.