Rapid City, SD Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

090 defines disturbing the peace broadly: an animal does it by persistently, habitually, constantly or continuously barking, howling, growling or making other unreasonably loud noises, and the section declares any animal doing so a public nuisance. The code builds in a cure period rather than immediate citation. On a first violation, the responding Animal Control Officer or police officer issues a written warning, and the owner then has three days to correct the problem; no enforcement action can be taken during that three-day window even if the noise continues.

Only if the disturbance persists or happens again after the three days expire may the officer issue a summons and complaint. The clock resets in the owner's favor too: if a full year passes without another violation, enforcement must start over with a fresh three-day warning rather than escalating straight to a summons. The section also gives owners an affirmative defense: if the animal was provoked by teasing, taunting or similar behavior, that provocation defeats the violation. 230 if the owner cannot be found, refuses to take remedial action, or if, after the three-day warning period, the responding officer determines impoundment is warranted. 010.