Paramount, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Paramount, 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
- Standard
- Interference with comfortable enjoyment of life or property by an individual
- Covered animals
- Any animal or animals, including any fowl
- Numeric limit
- No decibel level or hour limit printed in § 6.32.110
- Classification
- Declared a nuisance
- Misdemeanor fine
- Not exceeding $500.00 (§ 6.04.060)
- Administrative fine due
- Within 30 calendar days of issuance
Summary
In the City of Paramount, Municipal Code § 6.32.110 declares a nuisance any animal, including fowl, kept on a lot or parcel under a person's control whose sound or cry interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by an individual. The section prints no decibel level, hour or time threshold.
§ 6.04.060. Punishment. ... Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each such person is guilty of a separate offense for every day during any portion of which any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is committed. ... § 6.32.110. Noisy animals. It is hereby declared to be a nuisance, and no person shall keep, maintain or permit upon any lot or parcel of land within the City under his or her control, any animal or animals including any fowl, which by any sound or cry, shall interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by an individual.
Full Breakdown
In the City of Paramount, California, a barking dog is a nuisance by declaration. Section 6.32.110 of the Municipal Code states that it is declared a nuisance, and that no person shall keep, maintain or permit upon any lot or parcel of land within the City under his or her control any animal or animals, including any fowl, which by any sound or cry interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by an individual. The wording reaches every animal, not only dogs, and it names fowl, so crowing or squawking birds are covered by the same sentence as barking dogs.
The test is the effect on one person. The section prints no decibel level, no quiet hours and no minimum number of minutes of barking, and a single individual's interrupted enjoyment of life or property is the measure. The duty sits with whoever controls the lot or parcel, so the owner, tenant or other keeper in control of the property answers for the animals there.
Enforcement runs through Title 6. Section 6.08.020 vests the Director of Animal Care and Control with police powers, including the duty to make arrests and issue citations. Violations can also be cited administratively: Section 1.08.050 authorizes an enforcement officer to issue an administrative citation for any provision of the Municipal Code, the fine comes from a schedule set by City Council resolution, increased fines apply for repeat violations by the same person within 12 months, each day is a separate offense, and the fine is due within 30 calendar days of issuance. A cited party can contest in writing within 15 days after service, with a deposit of the full fine or a hardship waiver request, under Section 1.08.090.
Noise is also screened for animals that need permits. An applicant for a wild or vicious animal permit must describe noises or odors anticipated in keeping the animal under Section 6.40.020(A)(8), and a kennel permit can be denied, revoked or suspended under Section 6.36.020(C) if the permittee has violated any rule or regulation. Residential zones cap households at three adult animals of any species per dwelling unit.
Violations & Fines
The punishment section at the front of Title 6, Section 6.04.060, makes a violation a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not exceeding $500.00, imprisonment in the County Jail for not exceeding six months, or both, with each day a separate offense. Failure to comply with an administrative order directing abatement of a continuing violation constitutes a public nuisance and a misdemeanor under Section 1.08.120. A fine delinquent 90 days or more can become a lien on the property under Section 1.08.140.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as too much barking in Paramount?
Does the barking rule cover animals other than dogs?
What is the penalty for a barking dog in Paramount?
Who enforces the animal noise rule in Paramount?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paramount
California rules heatmap·Compare Paramount to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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