Paterson, NJ Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Paterson, NJ, 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
- Continuous threshold
- 5 min, 4+ vocalizations/min
- Intermittent threshold
- 20 min, 2+ vocalizations/min
- Minimum penalty
- $500 per offense
- Affirmative defense
- animal was intentionally provoked
- Enforced by
- Noise Control Officer/Investigator
Summary
Paterson bans animal noise that unreasonably disturbs neighbors, with a concrete evidentiary standard: five minutes of steady barking or 20 minutes of intermittent barking counts as a violation under the city's noise ordinance.
It shall be unlawful for any property owner or tenant to allow any domesticated or caged animal to create a sound across a real property line which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort, and repose of any resident, or to refuse or intentionally fail to cease the unreasonable noise when ordered to do so by a Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator... Vocalizing (howling, yelping, barking, squawking, etc.) for five minutes without interruption, defined as an average of four or more vocalizations per minute in that period.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 337's animal-noise provision, it is unlawful for a property owner or tenant to let a domesticated or caged animal create sound across a property line that unreasonably disturbs a resident's peace and comfort, or to refuse to quiet it when ordered by a Noise Control Officer or Investigator. The code sets objective thresholds for prima facie evidence: vocalizing averaging four or more times per minute for five straight minutes, or two or more times per minute intermittently over 20 minutes. Intentionally provoking the animal is an affirmative defense.
Violations & Fines
Minimum $500 penalty per offense, up to $2,000 under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5; each continuing day is a separate offense; enforcement is by a Noise Control Officer or Investigator issuing a notice of penalty assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my neighbor's barking dog illegal in Paterson?
What's the penalty for a barking dog complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
Compare Paterson to another location·View the New Jersey noise ordinances overview
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