San Mateo County, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in San Mateo County, CA, 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
- Governing section
- § 6.04.060(c)
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only
- Enforcer
- San Mateo County Animal Control
- Prohibited act
- Habitual barking/meowing disturbing peace
Summary
In unincorporated San Mateo County, letting a dog or cat habitually bark, meow, or disturb residents is banned as a public nuisance under County Ordinance Code § 6.04.060(c), enforced by Animal Control.
To suffer or permit such animal to habitually bark or meow or otherwise act to disturb the peace of any citizen or to be a public nuisance.(d)To be without proper and adequate food, water, shelter, care, and attention.(e)No Person shall possess within San Mateo County any animal designated by another jurisdiction as "potentially dangerous", "dangerous", or "vicious," or other designation based on the animal's potential danger to humans and/or animals, without previously notifying Animal Control and receiving express written permission from the Animal Control Manager for the animal's presence or residence in San Mateo County. A failure to receive prior permission is in itself a sufficient basis for an Animal Control Officer or peace officer to seize and impound such animal.(f)Subsection (a)(2) of this section shall not be applicable to cats. (Ord. No. 04886, § 1, 1-9-2024)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
County Ordinance Code § 6.04.060(c) makes it unlawful for any owner or person with custody of an animal to "suffer or permit such animal to habitually bark or meow or otherwise act to disturb the peace of any citizen or to be a public nuisance." The rule applies only in unincorporated San Mateo County; Redwood City, San Mateo, Daly City and the county's other incorporated cities enforce their own noise codes. Animal Control investigates complaints under this same Chapter 6.04 that also governs licensing, leashing and impoundment.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 6.04.060(c) is enforceable by Animal Control; repeated nuisance barking can lead to citation, and animals involved in Chapter 6.04 violations are subject to Animal Control investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Redwood City or San Mateo?
What must Animal Control show to act on a barking complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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