San Bernardino County, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in San Bernardino County, 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
- County Code § 32.0119
- Applies to
- Residentially zoned ('R') property only
- Standard
- Reasonable-person annoyance or discomfort
- Complainant threshold
- 2 neighbors within 200 yards, waivable
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100
- Enforcement agency
- San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control
Summary
A dog or other animal that habitually barks, howls, crows or makes loud noise causing a neighbor annoyance or discomfort, on any residentially zoned property, violates County Code § 32.0119. A complaint from at least two neighbors within 200 yards is normally required, with a waiver process, before Animal Control escalates to citation.
§ 32.0119 Animals Which Habitually Make Noise. (a) Excluding noise from property not zoned for residential purposes (property without "R" in its zoning classification), it shall be unlawful for any person owning or having control of one or more of any animal, either willfully or through failure to exercise proper control, to allow such animal to habitually bark, howl, crow, or make any other loud noises in such a manner as to at any time, day or night, cause general annoyance or discomfort to a neighboring inhabitant. The standard of general annoyance or discomfort is a "reasonable person" standard, i.e., the noise is such that a reasonable person, under the same or similar circumstances, would suffer annoyance or discomfort. (b) Evidence of a violation may be based upon complaints from neighboring inhabitant(s), hereby defined as persons living within 200 yards of such animal owner or keeper's premises... If there is more than one neighboring inhabitant, evidence of a violation requires complaints from at least two neighboring inhabitants living in separate residences.
Full Breakdown
0119, Animals Which Habitually Make Noise, applies only on residentially zoned property, identified by an 'R' designation, and makes it unlawful for an owner or keeper, willfully or through failure to exercise proper control, to let an animal habitually bark, howl, crow, or make other loud noise that causes general annoyance or discomfort to a neighboring inhabitant at any time, day or night, judged by a reasonable person standard. Evidence ordinarily requires complaints from at least two neighboring inhabitants living within 200 yards of the animal's premises in separate residences; a single complainant, or someone living beyond 200 yards, can seek a waiver from the Chief Officer by submitting corroborating evidence such as recordings, sound logs, or declarations.
Enforcement follows a graduated process: Animal Care and Control first sends a courtesy abatement letter and mediation information, then, if the noise persists past a two-week window, the complainant may file a formal written nuisance complaint form, triggering a notice of violation served on the owner with another two-week compliance window. 0119(a)(5).
Violations & Fines
A first violation is an infraction punishable by a fine up to $100, a second within one year up to $200, and a third or later offense within one year up to $500 as an infraction or, charged as a misdemeanor, up to six months in jail plus a fine up to $1,000, under § 32.0124. As an alternative, the County may pursue an administrative citation under § 32.0126 or a civil action under § 32.0125; remedies are cumulative and discretionary under § 32.0120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the barking-dog rule apply to a home business zoned commercial in San Bernardino County?
How many neighbors must complain about a barking dog before enforcement starts?
What happens before Animal Control issues a citation for a noisy animal?
What is the penalty for a repeat barking-dog violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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