Nashville, TN Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Nashville, TN, 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
- Citation
- Metropolitan Code of Laws § 8.12.010
- Prohibited conduct
- Frequent or loud continued animal noise
- Enforcement
- Court injunction, not a fixed fine
- Coverage
- Metro Nashville-Davidson County, not satellite cities
Summary
Metro Nashville bans keeping any dog, bird, or animal whose frequent or loud continued noise disturbs neighbors' comfort: a violation is a public nuisance enforceable by court injunction, per Metropolitan Code of Laws § 8.12.010.
It is unlawful for any person to keep any animal, dog, bird or fowl which, by causing frequent or loud continued noise, disturbs the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity. Violation of this section shall be declared to be public nuisance which violation may be enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Metropolitan Code of Laws § 8.12.010, in the Animals title's chapter on miscellaneous animal control regulations, makes it unlawful to keep any animal, dog, bird, or fowl that causes frequent or loud continued noise disturbing the comfort or repose of anyone nearby. The code declares a violation a public nuisance, giving any court of competent jurisdiction authority to enjoin it: a neighbor or the metropolitan government can pursue a court order forcing the noise to stop, not just a citation. The rule reaches all of Metro Nashville and Davidson County; it does not apply inside the six satellite cities (Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Goodlettsville, Oak Hill, Ridgetop), which enforce their own separate codes.
Violations & Fines
A violation is declared a public nuisance; any court of competent jurisdiction can enjoin it, ordering the noise stopped under Metropolitan Code of Laws § 8.12.010(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nashville have a specific decibel limit for barking dogs?
What can a neighbor do about a barking dog in Metro Nashville?
Does this rule apply in Belle Meade or Goodlettsville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee noise ordinances overview
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