Santa Cruz County, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Santa Cruz County has no standalone barking-dog ordinance with a fixed bark-time limit; instead, animal noise is regulated through the general 'offensive noise' provisions of SCCC Chapter 8.30. The chapter's definition of offensive noise expressly covers noise made by an individual, a group, or 'any appliance, contrivance, device, tool, structure, construction, vehicle, ride, machine, implement, or instrument,' and the County General Plan Noise Element confirms that enforcement of the County Noise Ordinance 'addresses nuisance noise violations such as loud birds and animals.' The same time thresholds apply: during 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., barking is automatically offensive if clearly discernible 150 feet beyond the property line or above 75 dB at the line; during 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., the threshold drops to 100 feet/60 dB, or any offensive noise within 100 feet of a building used for sleeping. Officers also weigh duration, time of day, and proximity to bedrooms. The Sheriff's Office handles noise complaints; chronic animal-nuisance situations may also involve County Animal Services. California Penal Code Section 415.5 and local nuisance abatement can apply in persistent cases.