Palm Desert, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 6.24.050 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code defines a noisy animal in the City of Palm Desert as any animal or animals kept on the same premises whose barking, howling, crying or other sound is audible from a neighboring property line or a public area and meets one of four tests: three minutes or more of continuous noise; intermittent noise totaling more than 10 minutes within any one-hour period; noise on at least three separate days within a 30-day period, each lasting continuously for one minute or more; or excessive, unrelenting or habitual noise that annoys nearby residents or causes excessive discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. Section 6.24.060 makes it unlawful and a public nuisance to own, keep or harbor a noisy animal. The responsible party is the property owner, the person in charge of or occupying the premises, or the animal's owner. A law enforcement dog on duty is exempt under § 6.24.040.

The process starts under § 6.24.070. An animal control officer who personally confirms the noise, or who receives a written complaint under penalty of perjury from a complaining party, issues a warning notice, served personally or by mail or posted at the premises if service fails, with a copy filed with the county of Riverside. The officer must try to speak with the responsible party within five days, and the notice is voided if the officer finds within five days that the noise was provoked or not excessive, unrelenting or habitual.

A further complaint at the same location within 12 months leads to a declaration of complaint and petition under § 6.24.080. Getting the petition form requires a minimum of three witnesses from three separate households. The complaining party returns it under penalty of perjury within 10 days, and the hearing is set at least 10 days and no more than 30 days after receipt. The hearing officer decides on a preponderance of the evidence, and the complaint is dismissed if the complaining party fails to appear and the animal control officer has no personal knowledge. The written order follows within five business days, compliance is due within five days after mailing or posting, and the decision is final.

Section 6.24.120 lets the hearing officer order containment in an enclosed building, a noise suppression device, obedience training, limits on the time of day, days of the week and duration the animal is outdoors, debarking, or permanent removal of the animal from the property.