Salt Lake City, UT Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Salt Lake City, UT, 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
- § 8.04.370(B)(6)
- Standard
- Excessive, continuous, or untimely barking
- Enforcement
- Salt Lake City Animal Services
- Max penalty
- $5,000 fine / 180 days
Summary
Salt Lake City code makes excessive, continuous, or untimely barking a declared animal nuisance, exposing the owner to citation regardless of intent.
Any owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of an animal or animals causing a nuisance as defined below shall be in violation of this title and subject to the penalties provided herein. The following shall be deemed a nuisance: Any animal which: ... Barks, whines or howls, or makes other disturbing noises in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City code section 8.04.370 lists a dog that "barks, whines or howls, or makes other disturbing noises in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion" as one of ten defined animal nuisances. Any owner or keeper responsible for the animal is in violation of title 8 and subject to penalties once the nuisance is established, whether by animal services investigation or a neighbor complaint.
Violations & Fines
Violation is a class B misdemeanor or civil penalty under section 1.12.050, up to a $5,000 fine, 180 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog have to bark for a set number of minutes to violate the rule?
Who enforces the barking dog nuisance rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle barking dogs.