Broward County, FL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Broward County, FL, 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 section
- Broward County Code § 39-133(g)
- Test used
- Plainly audible with doors/windows closed
- Where it applies
- Unincorporated Broward County only
- Enforcement path
- Code enforcement officer, Chapter 8½
- Meter required
- No: officer determination only
Summary
Broward's property-maintenance nuisance code names barking dogs as a banned noise source when it becomes "Unreasonably Loud Noise": audible inside a neighbor's home with doors and windows shut, judged by a reasonable-person standard.
Nothing shall be allowed on or in any structure, land, or water body in any district that shall in any way be offensive or obnoxious, based upon a reasonable person standard, by reason of the emission of odors, gases, dust, smoke, vibrations, or noise (including the crowing of cocks, barking of dogs, or any noises or odors emanating from any animal, fish, or fowl), taking into account the nature, frequency, intensity, duration, and time of day, as well as the surrounding ambient conditions. Nor shall anything be constructed or maintained that would in any way constitute an eyesore to adjacent property owners or residents, or the community, based upon a reasonable person standard. Uninvited noise shall be deemed unreasonably loud if it is plainly audible inside of a receiving property with doors and windows closed, across a property line, and interferes with a person's peaceful enjoyment of a residence or the peace and tranquility of the surrounding neighborhood ("Unreasonably Loud Noise"). The activities listed in Table 1, Activities Exempted from the Definition of Unreasonably Loud Noise, are exempt from the definition of Unreasonably Loud Noise during the time periods specified: TABLE 1 ACTIVITIES EXEMPTED FROM THE DEFINITION OF UNREASONABLY LOUD NOISE
• Sound Generating Activity .....Exempted Time Period
• Using or operating a loudspeaker or loudspeaker system .....7:00 a.m. —7:00 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 39-133(g) of the Broward County Code bars any offensive or obnoxious noise in any district, expressly listing "the crowing of cocks, barking of dogs, or any noises or odors emanating from any animal, fish, or fowl." Noise is unlawful once it is plainly audible inside a receiving property with doors and windows closed and interferes with a resident's peaceful enjoyment; no decibel meter is required. This nuisance article, part of the county Zoning Code, applies only in unincorporated Broward County. Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs and the county's other 27 cities enforce their own separate noise ordinances.
Violations & Fines
A code enforcement officer investigates and determines each alleged violation; no sound-level measurement is required to find a violation. Cases proceed under the Chapter 8½ Code Enforcement process, which can bring a hearing before a special magistrate, fines, and repeat-violation penalties for owners cited again within five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule cover Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
Do animal control officers measure decibels for barking complaints?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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