Yakima County, WA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Yakima County, WA, 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
- Fine per violation
- $125
- Governing section
- Yakima County Code 8.36.260
- Enforcing agency
- Sheriff's Office / Yakima Humane Society
- Defense available
- Guard dog responding to an intruder
- Habitual violator threshold
- 2 criminal or 4 civil infractions in 5 years
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Yakima County only
Summary
In unincorporated Yakima County, keeping a dog that habitually barks, growls, yelps, howls or whines loudly enough to disturb the peace and quiet of neighbors violates Yakima County Code section 8.36.260. Each violation draws a $125 fine, enforced by the Sheriff's Office or Yakima Humane Society. Guard dogs responding to an intruder are exempt.
(1) It is unlawful for any owner in control of premises to keep, harbor or maintain thereon any dog or dogs which individually or together habitually bark, growl, yelp, howl or whine so loudly and for such a duration of time as to unreasonably disturb the peace, quiet, comfort and repose of others within the unincorporated area of Yakima County. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined one hundred twenty-five dollars for each violation. (2) It shall be an affirmative defense to subsection (1) of this section that the howling, yelping, barking or other noise complained of was by a guard dog or watch dog which was responding to intruders, trespassers or other persons entering onto the premises of the dog owner.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4871853; v6 updated 2026-04-21; through 04-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
260 makes it unlawful for any owner in control of premises to keep, harbor or maintain a dog or dogs that individually or together habitually bark, growl, yelp, howl or whine so loudly and for so long as to unreasonably disturb the peace, quiet, comfort and repose of others in the unincorporated area of the county. Each violation is fined $125. The section builds in one affirmative defense: if the noise came from a guard dog or watch dog responding to an intruder, trespasser or other person entering the owner's premises, that is a defense to the citation.
36's general dog-control scheme. 280 directs officers to leave the dog with the owner and issue a summons rather than impound it. 050. 36 offenses.
Violations & Fines
A first barking-dog citation under section 8.36.260 is a $125 civil infraction, with each incident charged as a separate violation. An owner who racks up two or more criminal convictions, or four or more civil infractions, under Chapter 8.36 within five years becomes a habitual violator under section 8.36.275 and is guilty of a misdemeanor. Interfering with an animal control officer investigating a complaint, or refusing to identify yourself when cited, adds separate misdemeanor exposure under sections 8.36.290 and 8.36.273.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a barking dog illegal in unincorporated Yakima County?
What's the fine for a barking dog complaint in Yakima County?
Is there any defense if my dog barks at someone on my property?
Who enforces the barking dog rule in unincorporated Yakima County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima County
Compare Yakima County to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.