LaPorte County, IN Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Under LaPorte County Code § 94.02, a PUBLIC NUISANCE animal includes one that causes frequent or long continued loud noises or other sounds common to its species which disturbs the comfort or repose of any person in the immediate neighborhood. That definition is what makes a dog's habitual barking enforceable in the unincorporated county; Michigan City and the City of La Porte are separate municipalities with their own codes and are not covered here.

Section 94.04 sets a specific, three-tier fine schedule for 'Barking dog (habitual)' complaints. A first offense draws a verbal or written warning citation and/or impoundment of the animal, with the shelter's reclaim requirements applying if the dog is taken. A second offense carries a $50 fine and/or impoundment, and a third offense carries a $100 fine and/or impoundment, each time with reclaim requirements attached before the dog goes home.

Enforcement runs through § 94.03: any peace officer in the county, or an animal control officer of the LaPorte County Animal Shelter, may cite an owner after observing a violation or receiving reliable information of one. The citation must specify which part of Chapter 94 was violated, and the office of the County Attorney prosecutes referred cases in court. Separately, § 94.35(A)(5) lets officers impound any animal causing serious annoyance or disturbance to persons in the neighborhood from continuous habitual actions the owner hasn't corrected once advised, which reaches barking dogs whose owners ignore a warning.

Behind the § 94.04 schedule sits the chapter's general penalty at § 94.99: a first offense carries a minimum $50 fine up to $2,500, and a second or subsequent offense carries a minimum $100 fine up to $5,000, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense.