Nassau County, FL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Nassau County, FL, 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
- Governing section
- Nassau County Code § 6-54(k)
- Trigger
- Noise 30+ minutes, persistent or continuous
- Evidence needed
- Affidavits from 2 neighboring residences, or recording
- Max civil fine
- $500.00 (F.S. § 828.27)
- Exemptions
- Hunting dogs and farm guardian dogs
- Repeat violation
- Mandatory county-court appearance (§ 6-63)
Summary
In unincorporated Nassau County it is unlawful under Sec. 6-54(k) for an owner to let an animal bark, howl, whine or make similar noise persistently or continuously for thirty minutes or more when it is not inside an enclosure that muffles the sound. A citation requires signed affidavits from at least two separate neighboring households, or audio or video proof, submitted to Animal Control.
(k)It shall be unlawful for the owner of an animal to allow the animal, to bark, meow, whine, howl, or to make other sounds common to its species, persistently or continuously for a period of thirty (30) minutes or longer when such animal is not contained within an enclosure sufficient to baffle loud noises and render them reasonably unobjectionable as evidenced by signed affidavits, provided by animal control, by not less than two (2) separate neighboring residences or audio/visual recording.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 6-54(k) targets any animal, not just dogs, covering barking, meowing, whining or howling and any other sound common to the species when it continues persistently or continuously for thirty minutes or longer. The violation only applies when the animal is not contained within an enclosure sufficient to baffle the noise and render it reasonably unobjectionable, so a properly soundproofed kennel or structure can defeat a complaint even if the animal is loud inside it. Animal Control requires evidentiary support before acting: signed affidavits from at least two separate neighboring residences, or an audio or video recording, must document the nuisance noise.
14(3). Enforcement runs through the general civil-citation and penalty scheme in Sec. 00 surcharge on every fine collected. Sec. 6-63 specifically singles out a second or subsequent Sec. 6-54 violation as one of the categories requiring the owner to appear in county court rather than simply paying the fine.
Violations & Fines
A verified Sec. 6-54(k) barking complaint, backed by affidavits from two separate neighboring households or a recording, can draw a civil citation carrying up to a $500.00 fine under F.S. § 828.27, plus a mandatory $5.00 surcharge. Sec. 6-63 requires mandatory county-court appearance for a second or subsequent Sec. 6-54 violation rather than letting the owner simply pay the fine, and refusing to sign or accept the citation is itself a second-degree misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does my dog have to bark before it's a violation in Nassau County?
What proof does a neighbor need to file a barking complaint?
Are farm dogs or hunting dogs exempt from the noise rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nassau County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Nassau County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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