Salt Lake City, UT Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 8.04.370 of the Salt Lake City Code lists ten defined animal nuisances. The noise provision, at § 8.04.370(B)(6), covers any animal that "barks, whines or howls, or makes other disturbing noises in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion."

The section is written for "any animal." Barking dogs are the usual subject, but whining, howling, and "other disturbing noises" are covered by the same Salt Lake City text, and the animal making them does not have to be a dog.

The words excessive, continuous, and untimely are joined by "or," so any of them is enough. Excessive points to how much noise there is. Continuous points to noise that goes on without a break. Untimely points to when the noise happens, so the hour matters as well as the amount. The code gives no number of minutes, no decibel level, and no set quiet hours. Each Salt Lake City complaint is judged case by case against those words.

Responsibility is also broad. Section 8.04.370 reaches "any owner or person having charge, care, custody or control" of the animal. A person who is keeping or watching a dog in Salt Lake City can be in violation without owning it. The text says "animal or animals," so a household with several dogs that together cause the disturbance is covered as well. The owner's intent is not part of the test. Once the nuisance is established, the responsible person "shall be in violation of this title and subject to the penalties provided herein."

A nuisance can be established through a Salt Lake City Animal Services investigation or through a neighbor complaint. Animal Services investigates nuisance animal complaints under title 8 of the city code.