Kern County, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Kern County, 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.
Key Facts
- Code Section
- § 7.08.380
- Chapter
- Title 7, Chapter 7.08 (Animal Control)
- First Violation
- Infraction (warning letter first)
- Repeat Violation
- Misdemeanor. DA filing possible
- Each Day Continued
- Separate offense
- Investigation Hours
- M–F 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (Animal Services)
Summary
Section 7.08.380 of the Kern County Code makes it unlawful to keep or harbor any animal whose howling, yelping, barking, or other noise disturbs or annoys a neighborhood. Each day of continued violation is a separate offense; second and subsequent violations are misdemeanors.
The keeping or harboring of any animal or fowl, whether licensed or not, which by howling, yelping, barking or other noise which is offensive to the senses, is injurious to health, disturbs or annoys any considerable number of persons or any neighborhood so as to interfere with the enjoyment of life or property, is unlawful and is a public nuisance, and each day that such act is continued constitutes a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
Kern County Code § 7.08.380 (Title 7, Chapter 7.08 Animal Control Regulations) provides: 'The keeping or harboring of any animal or fowl, whether licensed or not, which by howling, yelping, barking or other noise which is offensive to the senses, is injurious to health, disturbs or annoys any considerable number of persons or any neighborhood so as to interfere with the enjoyment of life or property, is unlawful and is a public nuisance, and each day that such act is continued constitutes a separate offense.' Determination of whether a nuisance exists is made by the Kern County Animal Services director or designee upon satisfactory proof. The first complaint typically triggers a warning letter to the owner; Animal Services investigates Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. After-hours animal noise calls are routed to the Sheriff's Office. The provision is enforced county-wide in unincorporated areas (incorporated cities such as Bakersfield use their own codes, e.g., Bakersfield Municipal Code § 6.04.230).
Violations & Fines
A first violation is punishable as an infraction; second and subsequent violations are prosecutable as misdemeanors and may be filed directly with the District Attorney. Each day the noise continues is a separate offense, so penalties can stack quickly for chronic cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a barking dog in unincorporated Kern County?
How long after the first complaint should I wait to file again?
Can the owner be charged criminally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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