Madison County, AL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

3 of the Madison County Noise Ordinance, effective January 31, 2024, declares it a violation to keep, own, possess, harbor or control any animal that barks, bays, yelps, howls, cries, squawks or makes other unreasonably loud, disturbing noise continuously or incessantly for 10 minutes, or intermittently for 30 minutes or more, causing a noise disturbance. The Commission adopted the ordinance under authority granted by Act No. 2018-167, a 2018 constitutional amendment approved by Madison County voters. B directs consideration of the time of day, proximity to residential structures, and whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent or constant.

5 exempts noise made by dogs while lawfully being used for hunting or taking wildlife, so a baying hound in the field is not covered. A neighbor bothered by persistent barking reports it to the Madison County Sheriff's Office, which investigates and, if a violation is found, can cause a written complaint to be made and pursue criminal process. A-B. Because the Noise Ordinance only reaches the unincorporated county, a barking complaint inside Huntsville, Madison or another incorporated city goes to that city's own code instead of this ordinance.