Kauai County, HI Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Article 25, added by Ordinance No. 996 in January 2016, was written to balance a dog owner's rights against a neighbor's peace under Section 22-25.1's stated purpose. Section 22-25.3 sets the numeric trigger: a dog that barks, bays, cries or howls intermittently for 30 minutes within a 45-minute period, or continuously or incessantly for 15 minutes, creates a nuisance regardless of the time of day. Section 22-25.4 provides an affirmative defense if the dog was provoked, including by a trespasser or someone merely walking past the property.

Before any citation issues, Section 22-25.6 requires the Animal Control Provider, the Kaua'i Humane Society, to log the complaint and send the responsible party a written warning and educational material giving at least 240 hours, or 10 days, to abate the nuisance, and the complainant must attempt alternative dispute resolution such as mediation before a citation can be sought unless the responsible party refuses to participate. No citation issues without an Enforcement Officer personally observing a violation. Section 22-25.5 sets escalating fines: $35 for a first violation, $75 for a second violation occurring within 90 days of a prior conviction, and $100 to $300 for a third or later violation within that 90-day window, and a court may also order completion of a dog training class instead of or in addition to a fine.

Under Section 22-25.5(f), a violation of this Article is treated as a civil violation, not a misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor, and citations go to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney once issued.