Mobile, AL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Mobile, AL, 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
- Standard
- Habitual disturbing noise
- Includes
- Barking, crowing, yelping, whining
- Fine
- $100 plus court costs
- Governing section
- Mobile City Code § 7-21
Summary
Mobile treats habitually barking, crowing, or yelping animals that cause unreasonable annoyance to neighbors as a public nuisance under City Code § 7-21.
It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to exercise the necessary care and control to prevent an animal in his or her possession or care from creating a public nuisance. For purposes of this section, an animal is a public nuisance if the animal:
(1)Habitually makes disturbing noises including, but not limited to crowing, barking, yelping, whining, or other utterances, causing unreasonable annoyance or discomfort to others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept;(2)Creates unsanitary conditions or offensive and objectionable odors in enclosures or surroundings and, thereby creates unreasonable annoyance or discomfort to persons in the close proximity to where the animal is kept; or(3)Damages property belonging to anyone other than its owner, including damage to flowers, gardens, and shrubs. (Ord. No. 07-058-2022, art. 1, 11-22-22)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).
Full Breakdown
Section 7-21 makes an animal a public nuisance if it habitually makes disturbing noises, including crowing, barking, yelping, or whining, that cause unreasonable annoyance or discomfort to people near the premises where it's kept. The same section also reaches animals that create unsanitary odors or damage a neighbor's property. An owner who fails to exercise the care needed to prevent that nuisance is in violation, regardless of whether a specific decibel or time-of-day threshold is met.
Violations & Fines
Failing to control a habitually noisy animal is a chapter 7 violation carrying the general $100 fine plus court costs published in the municipal court's fine schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a barking dog illegal in Mobile?
Does Mobile require a certain number of complaints before acting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mobile
Compare Mobile to another location·View the Alabama noise ordinances overview
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