Marion, OH Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Marion, OH, 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
- Marion Codified Ordinances § 618.07
- Trigger
- Frequent and habitual barking, howling or yelping
- Standard
- Unreasonably loud and disturbing, by character, intensity and duration
- Who is liable
- Anyone who keeps or harbors the dog
- Penalty
- Minor misdemeanor, fine not more than $150.00
- Related nuisance rule
- § 618.14(B) animal nuisance for barking or howling
Summary
In the City of Marion, Ohio, § 618.07 bars keeping or harboring a dog whose frequent and habitual barking, howling or yelping creates unreasonably loud and disturbing noises of a character, intensity and duration that disturb the peace, quiet and good order of the municipality. A violation is a minor misdemeanor.
(A) No person shall keep or harbor any dog within the municipality which, by frequent and habitual barking, howling or yelping, creates unreasonably loud and disturbing noises of such a character, intensity and duration as to disturb the peace, quiet and good order of the municipality. Any person who allows any dog habitually to remain or be lodged or fed within any dwelling, building, yard or enclosure, which he/she occupies or owns, shall be considered to be harboring such dog. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Full Breakdown
Section 618.07(A) of the Marion Codified Ordinances targets the dog's habit, not a single outburst. The noise has to come from frequent and habitual barking, howling or yelping, and it has to be unreasonably loud and disturbing, judged by its character, intensity and duration, to the point that it disturbs the peace, quiet and good order of the municipality. The section prints no decibel level, no clock hours and no minimum number of minutes, so the test rests on those printed factors.
The target is the person who keeps or harbors the dog. The section defines harboring broadly: anyone who allows a dog habitually to remain or be lodged or fed within any dwelling, building, yard or enclosure that he or she occupies or owns is considered to be harboring that dog. That reaches a tenant who occupies the premises as well as the owner of the property.
Two neighboring sections in Chapter 618 reach the same problem from other angles. Section 618.14(B) declares any animal a nuisance when it injures or disturbs the quiet of any person by barking, biting, howling or in any other way, and bars the owner or person in charge from permitting the animal to be or create that nuisance. Section 618.12(A) bars keeping, transporting, unloading or collecting any animal or fowl in a manner that the stench or the noise caused by it is annoying or offensive to any person.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 618.07 is a minor misdemeanor under division (B), and § 698.02(D) caps the fine for a minor misdemeanor at $150.00. The nuisance rule in § 618.14 is also a minor misdemeanor. A violation of the noise and odor rule in § 618.12 is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, punishable under § 698.02 by not more than 30 days in jail and a fine of not more than $250.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud or long does a dog have to bark before it violates Marion's code?
Am I responsible if I rent the house where the dog lives?
What is the penalty for a barking dog violation?
Does Marion treat other animal noise differently?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marion
Compare Marion to another location·View the Ohio noise ordinances overview
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