Placentia, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Chapter 9.06 of the Placentia Municipal Code treats barking as a civil-fine violation, enforced by Orange County animal care services employees. Section 9.06.020 defines a barking dog as one that barks, bays, cries, howls or makes any noise for an extended period to the disturbance of any person, day or night, whether or not the dog is on private property. The extended period is incessant barking for 30 minutes or more in any 24 hour period, or intermittent barking for 60 minutes or more in any 24 hour period. A dog does not count if, when it barks, a person is trespassing or threatening to trespass on the property, or the dog is being teased or provoked.

Under § 9.06.030, an enforcement officer can cite a responsible person for a violation the officer did not see or hear, based on a complaint signed under penalty of perjury by a disturbed member of the community. The responsible person is the owner, a lessee or sublessee with the right of possession, or the owner of the real property, and a minor at least 14 years of age can be a responsible person, with parents or guardians liable for payment when the minor is under 18.

Fines under § 9.06.060 are $250 for the first citation, $275 for the second within the same 12 month period, $303 for the third, $333 for the fourth, $366 for the fifth, and $403 for the sixth and each later citation. A fine not paid within 15 days of its due date doubles through a late penalty equal to the fine. The citation names a hearing date. The hearing officer's decision is final, and the hearing officer has no authority to reduce a fine (§ 9.06.100). Judicial review goes to the Orange County Superior Court within 20 calendar days of receiving the notice of decision (§ 9.06.110).