Little Elm, TX Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Little Elm, TX, 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
- 15 minutes (sporadic or continuous)
- Standard
- Prima facie nuisance
- Dual Authority
- Sec. 18-42 and Sec. 70-55
- Max Fine
- $500 per day
Summary
Little Elm addresses barking dogs under both Chapter 18 (Animals) and Chapter 70 (Noise). Under Sec. 18-42, any animal noise exceeding 15 minutes, even in sporadic bursts, is prima facie evidence of a nuisance. Pet owners notified by animal control or police who fail to correct the disturbance are in willful violation. Fines up to $500 per offense apply.
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(3) creates, by chemical means, a noxious and unreasonable odor in a public place;(4) abuses or threatens a person in a public place in an obviously offensive manner;(5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy;(6) fights with another in
Full Breakdown
Little Elm regulates animal noise through two code chapters. Sec. 18-42 declares that keeping any animal or bird that by frequent or long-continued noise disturbs the comfort and repose of any person of ordinary sensibilities in the immediate vicinity is a nuisance. Audible animal noise exceeding 15 minutes, even in sporadic bursts, is prima facie evidence of a nuisance violation. A person is deemed in willful violation if notified by animal control officers or police about the disturbance and then fails to correct it or prevent recurrence. Separately, Sec. 70-55 of the noise ordinance also addresses animals, making it a violation to own, keep, or harbor any animal or fowl that by frequent or habitual noise-making unreasonably disturbs a neighboring person of ordinary sensibilities. Complaints can be filed with Little Elm Animal Control, through the police non-emergency line at (214) 975-0460, or via the Citizen Request Portal. The provision was adopted under Ordinance No. 960 on June 16, 2009.
Violations & Fines
Nuisance violation. Fine up to $500 per offense. Each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does barking need to last to be a violation?
How do I report a barking dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Little Elm
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Little Elm to another location·View the Texas noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Denton County handle barking dogs.