Boone County, KY Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Boone County, KY, 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 sections
- § 91.01 (definition), § 91.20(D)
- Coverage
- Unincorporated Boone County only
- First-offense fine
- $25 to $100
- Repeat-offense fine
- $50 to $100
- Enforcement
- Boone County Animal Services / Animal Control
- Correction window
- Up to 7 days via misdemeanor notice
Summary
In unincorporated Boone County, Kentucky, a dog or other animal that "makes noise in an excessive, continuous or untimely manner" meets the Code's definition of a public nuisance under § 91.01. Owning an animal that becomes a public nuisance is separately unlawful under § 91.20(D), and county Animal Services, not Florence, Union or Walton police, enforces it outside those cities.
PUBLIC NUISANCE. Any animal(s) which: (1) Molests passers-by or passing vehicles; (2) Attacks people or other animals; (3) Damages public or private property; (4) Is repeatedly at large; (5) Makes noise in an excessive, continuous or untimely manner; (6) Creates unsanitary conditions; or (7) Disturbs the peace, comfort or health of persons in any other manner.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance 2025-20, passed 6-17-25; and State legislation current through KRS 2025).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 91 of the Boone County Code of Ordinances, "Animals and Fowl," governs unincorporated Boone County only; it does not reach inside Florence, Union or Walton, which enforce their own municipal animal codes. 20(D) then makes it unlawful to "own or possess an animal that conducts itself in such a manner as to constitute a public nuisance," the clause that covers a dog barking continuously or at odd hours. 15, may issue a misdemeanor notice giving the owner up to seven days to correct the nuisance before it converts into a uniform citation returnable in Boone County District Court, or may cite serious cases immediately. 99(A).
Violations & Fines
First and second offenses under § 91.20(D) share the fine schedule set for § 91.20(A) and (E) violations at § 91.99(F): not less than $25 nor more than $100 for a first offense, and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for a second or subsequent offense. Each day the nuisance continues can be charged as a separate Class A misdemeanor violation under § 91.99(A).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boone County have a specific quiet-hours law for barking dogs?
Who do I call about a barking dog in unincorporated Boone County?
What happens after a barking complaint is confirmed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boone County
Compare Boone County to another location·View the Kentucky noise ordinances overview
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