Mead Valley, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Persistent barking dogs in unincorporated Riverside County are handled under Ordinance No. 878, a dedicated 'Noisy Animals' ordinance adopted in 2009 and enforced by the County Department of Animal Services. Section 5 defines a 'Noisy Animal' as any animal whose excessive, unrelenting or habitual barking, howling, crying or other noises annoy or become offensive to a resident in the vicinity, disturbing the neighborhood's peace or causing excessive discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. Section 6 declares keeping such an animal unlawful and a public nuisance. The process is administrative and graduated: when an animal control officer personally confirms the problem or receives a signed complaint under penalty of perjury, a Noisy Animal Warning Notice is issued to the responsible party (Section 7). If a further complaint comes in at the same location within twelve months, the Director may issue a Declaration of Complaint and set the matter for an administrative abatement hearing before a hearing officer (Sections 8-11). Abatement orders (Section 12) can require containment indoors, a bark-control device, obedience training, restricted outdoor hours, debarking, or even permanent removal of the animal. Official law-enforcement dogs on duty are exempt. This animal-specific ordinance operates alongside the general noise standards in Ordinance No. 847.