Howard County, MD Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Howard County, MD, 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
- County Code § 17.302(a)(9)
- Enforcing agency
- Animal Control Division
- First-offense fine
- $50.00
- Third-offense fine
- $200.00
- Nuisance-declaration trigger
- 3 citations within 24 months
- Appeal window
- 7 days (declaration); 15 days (citation)
Summary
Howard County has no stand-alone barking-dog law. Instead, County Code § 17.302 lists a domesticated animal that 'disturbs the public peace' as a nuisance, enforced by the Animal Control Division. A citation carries an escalating fine, and three nuisance citations against the same animal or owner within 24 months lets the Administrator formally declare the animal, residence, or facility a nuisance.
(a)Definition. A nuisance occurs when:(1)A domesticated animal runs at large; ... (9)A domesticated animal disturbs the public peace;(10)A domesticated animal damages the property of persons other than the animal's owner; or(11)The odor of a domesticated animal fouls the air and creates an unreasonable annoyance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept, except that there is no nuisance if the odor comes from livestock maintained in accordance with generally accepted agricultural management practices.(b)Declaring an Animal, Residence, or Facility a Nuisance. The Administrator may declare an animal, residence, or facility a nuisance if the owner has received three nuisance citations for the same or different nuisances within the previous 24 months and the citations have been paid or upheld.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).
Full Breakdown
302 defines a public nuisance to include a domesticated animal that 'disturbs the public peace,' alongside animals running at large, damaging property, or chasing vehicles. 318(c): $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second within 24 months, $200 for a third, and $200 for each offense after that. 318(b)(2). 302(b) lets the Administrator formally declare the animal, the owner's residence, or the facility itself a nuisance. 302(c) to appeal the declaration to the Board. 302(a)(11), but exempts odor from livestock kept under generally accepted agricultural management practices, a carve-out that matters on Howard County's still-substantial farmland.
Violations & Fines
A first noise-nuisance citation under § 17.302 costs $50; a second within 24 months, $100; a third, $200; every citation after that, $200 per § 17.318(c). Citations are payable to the County Director of Finance within 30 days. Three paid or upheld citations in 24 months let the Administrator declare the animal or residence a nuisance outright, opening the door to further Animal Control enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific barking-dog ordinance in Howard County?
How much is the fine for a barking-dog nuisance citation?
Can Animal Control declare my dog a nuisance?
Can I appeal a nuisance declaration?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howard County
Compare Howard County to another location·View the Maryland noise ordinances overview
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