San Bernardino, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in San Bernardino, CA, 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
- SBMC § 6.02.020
- First step
- Written warning notice, § 6.02.030
- Abatement window
- 7 days from notice
- Penalty
- Infraction under § 6.02.040 / § 1.12.010
- Appeal path
- Animal Control Commission, § 6.14.100
Summary
A dog or other animal that barks or makes noise so as to annoy neighbors and disturb the peace is declared a public nuisance under Chapter 6.02. Animal Control issues a written warning first, giving the owner seven days to abate before enforcement.
(A) It is unlawful for any person owning, keeping, harboring or having in his or her care or custody any dog or other animal to cause or permit to be made or caused by such dog or other animal, barking or making of any noises or other sounds, so as to annoy and become offensive to resident(s) in the vicinity in which the dog or other animal is kept thereby disturbing the peace of the neighborhood or causing excessive discomfort to any reasonable person(s) of normal sensitivity residing in the area, unless such noise or sound is made by an official police dog or fire dog while on duty.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
020(A) makes it unlawful for any owner, keeper or custodian to permit a dog or other animal to bark or make noise so as to annoy and become offensive to residents in the vicinity, disturbing the peace of the neighborhood or causing excessive discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity, with a carve-out for official police or fire dogs on duty. Under division (B), when a dog or other animal persistently makes such noise, the Animal Control Division may issue a written warning notice advising the owner of a possible public nuisance; the owner then has seven days from the notice to abate the problem before becoming subject to enforcement under Title 6.
Division (C) further makes it unlawful for an owner who has received that written notice to fail, refuse or neglect to take whatever steps are necessary to stop the animal from disturbing the neighborhood again. 030 lets Animal Control issue the noisy-animal warning notice whenever it is notified or alerted of a possible noisy dog or other animal, specifying the possible code violation and the need to abate to avoid further city action. 110. 010 explain the chapter's basis: the city's dense buildup makes noisy-animal keeping injurious to health and an obstruction to the community's comfortable enjoyment of property.
Violations & Fines
Failing to abate a noisy-animal nuisance within seven days of a written warning, or failing to request a hearing under § 6.14.080, is an infraction under § 6.02.040 punishable per § 1.12.010; the City Attorney may separately pursue civil or criminal nuisance abatement under § 6.02.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a barking dog illegal in San Bernardino?
What happens the first time animal control gets a barking complaint?
Can I appeal a noisy-animal citation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle barking dogs.