Barking dog rules in Modesto, CA — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Owning, keeping, or harboring any dog, cat, or other animal or fowl that howls, yelps, whines, or barks in a loud and raucous manner is a public nuisance in Modesto.
Modesto Municipal Code § 4-9.103(e) lists as a prohibited public nuisance 'the owning, possessing, controlling, harboring, or keeping of any dog, cat, or other animal or fowl which by howling, yelping, whining, barking, or otherwise causes a loud and raucous noise.' Modesto does not codify a specific minute-count test (such as 30-minute continuous or 60-minute intermittent) in Chapter 9 itself; instead, the § 4-9.102 'reasonable person' factor test applies — officers weigh the noise's volume, duration, time of day, proximity to sleeping facilities, and whether it is recurrent, intermittent, or constant. Animal-noise complaints are typically handled by Stanislaus Animal Services in coordination with Modesto Police Code Enforcement.
The owner, possessor, harborer, or keeper of the animal is liable under § 4-9.105 even if not personally making the noise. Repeated barking complaints can lead to citations and abatement orders; under Stanislaus County's animal-control framework, dogs may also be subject to nuisance-animal declarations.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Modesto's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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