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.
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.
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.
Nuisance violation. Fine up to $500 per offense. Each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
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