Kershaw County, SC Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Kershaw County, SC, 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
- Rule
- Excessive barking/howling declared a nuisance
- Citation
- County Code § 4-8(b)(6)
- Max fine
- $500.00 per Sec. 4-18
- Impound trigger
- Habitual nuisance determination
- Complainant
- Identity kept confidential, Sec. 4-17
Summary
Unincorporated Kershaw County treats excessive barking, whining or howling as a public nuisance under County Code Sec. 4-8(b)(6). Animal control can impound a habitually nuisance animal until the problem is corrected.
(a)The actions of an animal constitute a nuisance when an animal disturbs the rights of, threatens the safety of, or damages a member of the general public, or interferes with the ordinary use and enjoyment of their property. ... (6)Allowing or permitting an animal to bark, whine, or howl in an excessive, unwarranted, and continuous or untimely fashion, or make other noise in such a manner so as to result in a serious annoyance or interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises; ... (c)An animal that has been determined to be a habitual nuisance by the county animal control may be impounded and may not be returned to the owner until said owner can produce evidence to demonstrate that the situation creating the nuisance has been abated.
Full Breakdown
Section 4-8(a) defines a nuisance as an animal that disturbs the rights of, threatens the safety of, or damages a member of the general public, or interferes with the ordinary use and enjoyment of their property. Subsection (b)(6) specifically makes it unlawful to allow or permit an animal to bark, whine, or howl in an excessive, unwarranted, and continuous or untimely fashion, or make other noise that seriously annoys or interferes with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises. The same subsection lists seven other nuisance acts, including failing to restrain an animal under Sec.
4-3, letting an animal damage neighboring property, and maintaining an animal in unsanitary conditions. Kershaw County Animal Control investigates nuisance complaints, and Sec. 4-17 keeps a complainant's identity confidential to the agency receiving the report, subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Under Sec. 4-8(c), an animal determined by animal control to be a habitual nuisance may be impounded and is not returned to the owner until the owner produces evidence that the situation creating the nuisance has been abated, giving the county real leverage in chronic barking cases beyond a simple fine.
Violations & Fines
A nuisance-animal violation, including chronic excessive barking, is a misdemeanor under Sec. 4-18(a) punishable by a fine of up to $500.00, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense. The animal can also be impounded under Sec. 4-8(c) and held until the owner demonstrates the nuisance has been abated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a barking dog illegal in unincorporated Kershaw County?
Can my dog be taken away for barking too much?
Who do I complain to about a neighbor's barking dog in Kershaw County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kershaw County
Compare Kershaw County to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.