Barking dog rules in Sarasota, FL — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Sec. 20-4(a)(2)(e) of the City of Sarasota Sound Control Ordinance makes it unlawful to own, harbor or maintain any animal that frequently or continuously howls, barks, yelps, meows, squawks, or makes other sounds that disturb a reasonable person of normal sensibilities. Public zoos and licensed animal attractions are excluded.
The animal-noise provision in Sec. 20-4(a)(2)(e) is enforceable in addition to Sec. 20-5's general dBA caps. The 'reasonable person of normal sensibilities' standard means an officer can cite a sustained-barking nuisance even without a sound-meter reading. Sec. 20-8 requires a warning with a reasonable time to comply (typically 15 minutes), and continued violation - or recurrence within 90 days - moves to citation. The City of Sarasota's Chapter 8 (Animals) also regulates animals running at large outside enclosures. Sarasota County Animal Services handles many enforcement calls under an interlocal arrangement; contact 941-861-9500.
Violations of Sec. 20-4 are municipal code violations under Sec. 20-9 and Sec. 1-11 - up to $500 per offense, with daily violations charged separately. Owners may also be required to abate the nuisance through bark collars, soundproofing, or removal of the animal.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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