Kennewick, WA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Kennewick, WA, 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
- Noise threshold
- Audible off-property 5+ minutes
- Violation type
- Civil infraction, not criminal
- First offense fine
- $50 plus costs
- Enforcement
- Kennewick Animal Control / Poundmaster
Summary
Kennewick makes it unlawful for an owner to let a dog or other animal bark, howl, or make noise that's audible off the property for more than five minutes and disturbs a neighbor's peace, health, or safety.
It is unlawful for any person owning or harboring an animal to allow or permit such animal to cause serious or habitual disturbance or annoyance by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking or otherwise noisy conduct, which shall annoy, injure or endanger safety, health, comfort or repose of others. An animal is harbored in violation of this Section if, without provocation, it makes noise which can be heard continuously within an enclosed structure off its owner's property for more than five minutes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Under KMC 8.02.340, harboring an animal that causes serious or habitual disturbance, frequent howling, yelping, or barking, is unlawful if it annoys, injures, or endangers others' safety, health, comfort, or repose. The code sets an objective trigger: unprovoked noise audible continuously inside an enclosed structure off the owner's property for more than five minutes counts as a violation. Kennewick Animal Control (the Poundmaster) enforces the Chapter; a substantiated complaint results in an infraction citation under the escalating fine schedule in KMC 8.02.360.
Violations & Fines
A violation is a civil infraction: $50 minimum for a first offense within five years, $100 second, $200 third, $400 fourth or more, plus court costs and assessments (KMC 8.02.360).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must a dog bark to violate Kennewick's noise law?
What's the penalty for a repeat barking-dog violation in Kennewick?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kennewick
Compare Kennewick to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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