Seattle, WA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Seattle, WA, 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
- SMC 25.08.500.A, public disturbance noises
- Enforcing officers
- Police officer or animal control officer
- Kennel/shelter exemption
- Permitted facilities under SMC Chapter 10.72
- Repeat-violator remedy
- Animal impounded under SMC Chapter 9.25
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 6 months jail (SMC 25.08.800.B)
Summary
SMC 25.08.500.A makes loud, frequent, repetitive, or continuous animal noise an unlawful 'public disturbance noise' in Seattle once a police officer or animal control officer orders it stopped. Owners of a repeat-violator animal, or one whose owner can't be located, face impoundment under SMC Chapter 9.25, and conduct under this section is a crime under SMC 25.08.800.B.
It is unlawful for any person knowingly to cause or make, or for any person in possession of property knowingly to allow or originate from the property, unreasonable noise which disturbs another, and to refuse or intentionally fail to cease the unreasonable noise when ordered to do so by a police officer or, in the case of noise described in subsection 25.08.500.A, when ordered to do so by any of the following: a police officer, an animal control officer... "Unreasonable noise" shall include the following sounds or combination of sounds: A.Loud and raucous, and frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds made by any animal, except sounds made in animal shelters, commercial kennels, veterinary hospitals, pet shops, or pet kennels that have current permits issued under Chapter 10.72...; provided, that notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the owner or other person having custody of the animal cannot, with reasonable inquiry, be located by the investigating officer or if the animal is a repeated violator of this subsection 25.08.500.A, the animal shall be impounded, subject to redemption in the manner provided by Chapter 9.25;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 44 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
500 makes it unlawful for anyone to knowingly cause, or to knowingly allow to originate from property in their possession, unreasonable noise that disturbs another person, and then refuse or fail to stop it once ordered to do so by a police officer or, for animal noise specifically, an animal control officer. Subsection A defines the animal-noise category of 'unreasonable noise' as loud and raucous, frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds made by any animal. 84A, which are policed by an authorized SDCI employee instead of an animal control officer).
25. B instead makes it a crime with absolute liability, no mental state needs to be proved, punishable by a fine up to $500, up to six months in City Jail, or both, with each day and each occurrence treated as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog or other animal bark loudly, repeatedly, or continuously so it disturbs a neighbor violates SMC 25.08.500.A once a police officer or animal control officer orders the noise stopped and it continues. SMC 25.08.800.B makes this a crime: a fine up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day or occurrence a separate offense; a repeat-violator animal can be impounded under SMC Chapter 9.25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited in Seattle for my dog barking?
What happens to a repeat-offender barking dog in Seattle?
Is a barking-dog violation a criminal offense in Seattle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seattle
Compare Seattle to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle barking dogs.