Barking dog rules in Greenville County, SC — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Greenville County Code Sec. 4-17 declares it a public nuisance to keep a pet that howls, barks, whines or cries so as to disturb any residence within 200 feet. Animal Control acts on 2 signed complaints from separate households; owner has 7 days to cure.
Greenville County Code Chapter 4, Article II, Section 4-17 ("Continuous barking, crying, and the like") makes it unlawful and declares a public nuisance to keep, harbor or maintain any domestic pet which howls, barks, whines or cries to such extent as to materially interfere with or affect the health, comfort, peace and quiet of the public or the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring properties within 200 feet of a residence in Greenville County.
Enforcement requires two detailed, written, signed complaints from separate households in close proximity to the offender. After receiving them, an animal control officer or law enforcement officer must notify the owner that complaints have been received and investigate. If the complaints are substantiated, the officer issues written notice giving the owner 7 days to correct. At least one complainant must appear in court at trial, or the County Attorney's office dismisses the charge. Where only one household lies within 200 ft, a single complaint may proceed if an officer personally witnesses and validates the barking (Sec. 4-17(b)(2)).
Failure to correct after 7 days exposes the owner to the misdemeanor penalty under Sec. 4-23 (magistrate's-court limits), with each day a separate offense. Commercial animal-boarding facilities in existence before March 20, 2001 are exempt under Sec. 4-17(d). Per Sec. 4-24, Article II does not apply within an incorporated municipality unless that city formally opts in.
A confirmed, uncorrected violation is a misdemeanor under Greenville County Code Sec. 4-23, punished within the jurisdictional limits of magistrate's court, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense. Report barking-dog complaints to Greenville County Animal Control at (864) 467-3950 (animal-care services) or via the Sheriff's Office non-emergency line (864) 271-5210. State authority for the article is S.C. Code Sec. 47-3-10 et seq.
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See how Greenville County's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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