Los Banos, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

5001(a) of the Los Banos Municipal Code makes it unlawful to keep, on any premises, a dog, fowl or other animal that habitually barks, bays, cries, howls, or makes any other noise so continuously or incessantly that it unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, or disturbs persons of ordinary sensibilities nearby. Enforcement is complaint-driven: under subsection (b), the Animal Control Officer acts once a written complaint arrives from two or more people who live in different households within 300 feet of the disturbance.

On receiving that complaint, the Officer must notify the animal's owner or custodian that a complaint has been received, and the owner must take whatever reasonable steps the Officer deems necessary to alleviate the noise. Before issuing a civil citation, subsection (d) gives the Animal Control Officer discretion to first try personal contact by phone, in person, or by letter, issue a warning, or grant an extension of up to 10 days to fix the problem. If those informal steps fail, the Officer can issue an administrative citation to any responsible person under subsection (c), and the responsible person is liable for the fine set by City Council resolution.

5002 makes clear that paying the fine does not excuse fixing the underlying noise: the City can keep issuing additional citations, a written abatement order, or pursue a civil or criminal complaint until the barking stops.