Barking dog rules in Sierra 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.
Unincorporated Sierra County prohibits dogs that bark or howl so continuously as to unreasonably disturb the neighborhood. Under SCC 8.08.160, barking or howling for an aggregate of 20 minutes out of one hour is sufficient for conviction. Animal Control enforces; permitted commercial kennels are exempt.
Sierra County has a specific nuisance-dog ordinance, making barking one of the few clearly codified noise issues. Sierra County Code Section 8.08.160 (Nuisance dogs) states it is unlawful to own, possess, harbor, control, or keep on any premises any dog that 'barks or howls so continuously or incessantly as to unreasonably disturb the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood.' The ordinance sets an objective threshold: evidence that the dog barked or howled for an aggregate period of 20 minutes out of one hour is sufficient for conviction. Barking provoked by a loose-running animal or by nearby pedestrians within 100 feet does not count toward that aggregate. The rule also reaches situations where two or more dogs provoke each other to bark for the 20-minute aggregate, in which case the owners of each dog can be cited. Commercial dog kennels permitted by zoning are exempt. The Sierra County Animal Control Department is responsible for enforcement; an animal control officer investigates complaints and takes reports from complaining witnesses before action. This rule applies in unincorporated communities such as Downieville, Sierra City, and Sierraville.
An animal control officer investigates barking complaints and takes a witness report; if the 20-minute aggregate standard is met, the owner may be cited under SCC 8.08.160. Where two or more dogs provoke each other, each owner may be cited. Violations are enforced by the Animal Control Department and prosecuted as code violations.
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See how Sierra County's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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