Lincoln, NE Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Lincoln, NE, 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
- Enforcing agency
- Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
- Daytime limit
- 65 db(a) at property line, 7am-10pm
- Nighttime limit
- 55 db(a) at property line, 10pm-7am
- Exemptions
- Zoos, humane society, licensed veterinarians
Summary
Lincoln treats barking dogs and other noisy animals as a noise disturbance if sound crosses onto a neighboring residential property, with property line limits of 65 db(a) daytime and 55 db(a) at night.
Animals and birds: Owning, possessing, or harboring any animal or bird which makes sounds which create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone. The following property line noise standards may be applied to the residential receiving land use or noise-sensitive zone to determine the existence of a noise disturbance: 65 db(a), maximum one minute Leq, for the time period 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and 55 db(a), maximum one minute Leq, for the time period 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. This provision shall not apply to public zoos, the humane society, or licensed veterinarians.
4. Loading and unloading: Loading, unloading, opening, closing, or other handling of boxes, carts, containers, building materials, or similar objects in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone. The following property line noise standards may be applied to the residential receiving land use or noise-sensitive zone to determine the existence of a noise disturbance, except as noted in subsection (c): 65 db(a), maximum five minute Leq, for the time period 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and 55 db(a) maximum five minute Leq, for the time period 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
5. Construction: Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, or demolition work:
Full Breakdown
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department enforces Municipal Code § 8.24.090(a)(3), which makes it a noise disturbance to own, possess, or harbor any animal or bird whose sounds cross a residential property line or carry into a designated noise-sensitive zone. The property line standard is 65 db(a), one-minute Leq, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., dropping to 55 db(a) from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Public zoos, the humane society, and licensed veterinarians are exempt. Complaints are handled by the Health Department under the city's general noise-control program, not as a separate barking-dog statute.
Violations & Fines
Violations are civil noise-code infractions enforced by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, which investigates complaints, can issue citations, and may pursue abatement action under Chapter 8.24's general penalty provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited if my dog barks at night in Lincoln?
Does Lincoln have a specific barking-dog ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska noise ordinances overview
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