Barking dog rules in Kirkland, 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.
Kirkland regulates barking dogs under KMC 8.09 Animal Control and KMC 11.84A Public Disturbance. Habitual barking is a nuisance. Dogs and cats 12 weeks or older must be licensed with the City.
Barking complaints in Kirkland fall under two overlapping provisions. KMC 8.09 vests animal control authority with the Kirkland Police Department, which assumed direct animal control responsibility in January 2018. Under KMC 8.09, animal control officers may apprehend and impound animals creating a public nuisance, which includes persistent, continuous, or habitual barking, howling, or yelping that unreasonably disturbs neighbors. KMC 11.84A lists frequent repetitive barking or crying of animals as enumerated public disturbance noise. Residents are encouraged to speak with the dog owner first, then file a written complaint with Kirkland Police at (425) 577-5656. The Kirkland animal licensing program requires all dogs and cats 12 weeks of age or older to be licensed annually with proof of current rabies vaccination. Licensing is administered through the Kirkland Police animal control division.
Animal nuisance violations under KMC 8.09 carry civil fines and can escalate to misdemeanor charges for repeated noncompliance. Unlicensed animals face separate KMC 8.09 citations.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle barking dogs.
See how Kirkland's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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