Barking dog rules in Polk County, FL — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
In unincorporated Polk County, letting a dog bark, howl or whine continuously or intermittently for 10 minutes or more between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. is a prohibited noise disturbance. Daytime barking is judged under the general nuisance standard.
Sec. 10.5-55(2) specifically prohibits "Allowing a dog to bark, howl, or whine continuously or intermittently for a period of ten (10) minutes or more between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. such that it creates a noise disturbance." Violators are subject to the conditions, procedures, penalties and exemptions in the Polk County Animal Control and Animal Services Ordinance. The Sheriff's Office may defer enforcement to Animal Control if an officer cannot personally observe the barking. Applies only to unincorporated Polk County.
Handled under the noise ordinance and the Polk County Animal Control and Animal Services Ordinance; can be enforced as a misdemeanor (up to $500 / 60 days) or via animal-control penalties. Officer must observe the disturbance.
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