Santa Monica, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Santa Monica, 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
- Continuous barking limit
- 5 minutes
- Total barking limit per hour
- 15 minutes in any 60-minute period
- Investigation threshold
- Second complaint from a different household within 12 hours required before Animal Control investigates
Summary
No dog, cat, or other animal may bark, yell, or cry for more than five continuous minutes or for fifteen total minutes in any sixty-minute period.
§ 4.12.090. Noisy animals. No person shall permit or allow any animal under his or her ownership, custody or control to bark, yell or cry for more than five continuous minutes or for fifteen total minutes in any sixty-minute period. The Animal Control Officer may decline to investigate a complaint for violation of this Section if the City does not receive a second complaint from another household about the same animal within a twelve-hour period.
Full Breakdown
The rule applies to any animal under an owner's, custodian's, or controller's care. Animal Control may decline to investigate a complaint if the City has not received a second complaint from a different household about the same animal within twelve hours. Enforcement can result in infraction or misdemeanor penalties under Chapter 4.12.
Violations & Fines
Violations are an infraction (up to $250) or misdemeanor (up to $500 or 6 months jail). Each day of continued violation is a separate offense. The City may also pursue nuisance abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can my neighbor's dog bark before it's a violation?
Will Animal Control respond to a single complaint?
Is the owner responsible even if they are away?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle barking dogs.