San Clemente, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

040 makes it unlawful to keep or permit any animal on a lot under one's control that, through its sound, unreasonably disturbs the peace and comfort of the neighborhood or interferes with the enjoyment of life and property. Subsection A specifically calls out dog barking or any other animal noise heard beyond the lot, parcel, or premises for a continuous period of 30 minutes or more, or an intermittent period of 60 minutes or more, as prohibited animal noise. 010 definitions chapter separately defines a 'barking dog' using the identical 30/60-minute thresholds, and carves out an exception: a dog is not a 'barking dog' if it is reacting to a trespasser or an attempted trespass, or if it is being teased or provoked.

Enforcement runs through the Coastal Animal Services Authority, the joint powers agency that handles animal control for San Clemente and Dana Point. 040 sets an evidentiary rule unusual outside animal-noise law: the unreasonable noise can be established by three witnesses from different addresses, each submitting a sworn declaration under penalty of perjury describing the time and nature of the disturbance. A resident does not need a decibel meter, just corroborating neighbors willing to sign statements.