Meridian, ID Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Meridian addresses barking dogs primarily through its general noise provision, Meridian City Code section 6-3-6, 'Noises Creating Public Disturbance.' That section makes it unlawful to cause, or to allow to originate from one's property, sound that unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort, and repose of neighboring property owners. While the listed examples focus on horns, vehicles, voices, and amplified equipment, the catch-all language covering frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds that unreasonably disturb others is the mechanism used for chronic animal noise such as prolonged barking. Animal-related conduct is further governed by the Meridian animal control chapter (Title 6, Chapter 2), which the City Council amended in 2022 (Ordinance 22-2002) and which authorizes animal control officers to enforce the city's animal ordinances and issue citations. Owners are responsible for keeping their animals from becoming a nuisance to the neighborhood. A violation of the noise ordinance is a misdemeanor. Residents experiencing ongoing barking are typically directed to document the disturbance and contact code enforcement or animal control.