Prescott Valley, AZ Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 6-03-010 of the Prescott Valley Town Code, Disturbing the Peace; Nuisances; Notice to Abate, splits dog noise into a night rule and a day rule.

Subsection A covers the night hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7: 00 a.m. as printed in the code. It is unlawful to keep or maintain a dog that barks, howls, or otherwise disturbs the peace and quiet of any reasonable person residing within the Town. A dog is deemed to be disturbing the peace if the Animal Services Officer or Police Officer, responding to an anonymous complaint, observes the animal barking, without justification, for five (5) or more continuous minutes. The officer can require a person who wants to pursue civil or criminal charges to complete and submit a Nuisance Dog Petition, a form supplied by the Animal Services Officer.

Subsection B covers the day hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The test changes from a timed observation to habit: it is unlawful to keep a dog that is in the habit of barking, howling, or otherwise disturbing the peace and quiet of any reasonable person. Anyone who wants to pursue civil or criminal charges must complete and submit a Nuisance Dog Petition to the Animal Control Officer.

Subsection C reaches other animals. The keeping of any fowl, rodent, domestic animal, exotic animal or wildlife, other than a dog, that disturbs the peace, comfort, or health of a reasonable person is a nuisance. After the Animal Services Officer receives and verifies a nuisance complaint, the officer gives the offending party three (3) days notice to remove, eliminate, or correct the cause or to abate unsanitary conditions, and failing to comply with the notice is unlawful. Subsection D separately requires owners to remove and dispose of animal waste, with an exception for service animals and police dogs.