Barking dog rules in Springdale, AR β also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances β define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Springdale Code Section 42-51 expressly folds barking dogs into the 'noise disturbance' definition. Owning, keeping or harboring any animal that 'continuously, repeatedly, or persistently, without provocation by the complainant, creates a sound which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort or repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities' is a per-se violation of Section 42-52, in addition to any Chapter 14 (Animals) provisions.
Unlike many cities that bury barking in an animal-control chapter, Springdale puts the operative test directly inside Chapter 42 Article III. Section 42-51 defines 'noise disturbance' to include three independent prongs, the second of which is: 'Owning, keeping, possessing, or harboring any animal or animals that continuously, repeatedly, or persistently, without provocation by the complainant, creates a sound which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort or repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities.' Section 42-52 then makes any noise disturbance unlawful, and Section 42-56 supplies the tiered fines (see below). The qualifier 'without provocation by the complainant' is a defensible-conduct test rather than a fixed minutes-of-barking threshold (Colonie NY uses 15 minutes; Phoenix AZ uses 10; Springdale leaves it to the reasonable-person standard). Springdale's separate Chapter 14 (Animals) covers licensing, leash, dogs-running-at-large, and vicious-dog provisions, administered by Springdale Animal Services at the Animal Shelter (479-750-8166). The Police Department writes the noise citations under Chapter 42. State backstop: A.C.A. Section 5-62-101 et seq. covers cruelty/welfare; A.C.A. Section 14-54-1102 authorizes municipalities to regulate dogs running at large. Common-law nuisance is independently available in Washington County Circuit Court (Benton/Madison County for the small portions of Springdale in those counties).
Section 42-56 fines: $150 to $250 first offense; $500 to $1,000 second offense; at least $2,000 third or subsequent offense. Each day a barking violation continues is a separate offense. Animal Services may impound a habitually-disturbing dog in coordination with Police, and Chapter 14 violations (license, leash, at-large) carry independent fines and impound fees. A nuisance suit in Washington County Circuit Court is the civil alternative for chronic neighbor cases.
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