Southborough, MA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

The barking standard is § 130-4(H) of the Noise bylaw, adopted by Town Meeting on 5-4-2022 under Article 26. Section 130-4 lists activities that are prohibited if they generate an unreasonable disturbance, and item H covers animals. The test has two parts. The noise must be unreasonably loud and disruptive, and it must run for more than 20 minutes intermittently, which the bylaw defines as an average of two vocalizations or more per minute in that period. The rule reaches any domesticated animal, meaning any animal that a person owns, controls, or otherwise cares for, so a keeper or pet sitter is covered as well as an owner.

The Police Department is charged with enforcement under § 130-7(A), and § 130-2 defines the Enforcement Official as a duly designated police officer. Section 130-6 sets the penalties. The first offense draws a warning. A second offense within 180 days of the first is $50, a third within 180 days of the second is $100, and each succeeding offense within 180 days of the preceding one is $300. The officer has the option to issue a warning instead of a fine whenever, in reasonable judgment and sole discretion, a warning is appropriate. Every day of violation, continuous or intermittent, counts as a separate offense, and fines are administered under MGL c. 40, § 21D.

Dogs also fall under Chapter 81. Section 81-2 deems a dog a "public nuisance" if it "persistently and prolongedly barks and/or howls," and § 81-3 forbids an owner or keeper to permit a licensed or unlicensed dog to become one at any time. Under § 81-4 the Animal Control Officer investigates complaints and apprehends a dog in violation even when no citizen has complained. Under § 81-5(B), an impounded dog that the owner does not pick up is kept at least 10 days.