Springfield, OR Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 5.402 sets a specific, measurable threshold for a barking complaint to become a code violation: the noise, whether repeated barking, whining, howling or similar sound, must be audible beyond the boundary of the owner's property and must either continue for more than 10 minutes straight or recur in intermittent episodes lasting a minimum of 30 minutes. Section 5.420 then makes it unlawful for any person to 'unreasonably permit a dog to cause continuous annoyance as defined in section 5.402.' The definitions section separately defines an 'Abandoned' dog as one left without supervision, food or water for over 24 hours, including 'any barking dog without supervision for a period of over 24 hours,' which can support a related abandonment citation if a dog is left barking and unattended that long.

The Springfield Police Department and the city's contracted animal control authority investigate barking complaints and issue citations under Section 5.420, and any peace officer or animal control officer may enter private property with the owner's or occupant's permission, or with a warrant, to enforce the chapter under Section 5.468. A sustained violation is punishable under Section 1.205 with a fine of up to $720.00, the same base penalty structure used across the dog and animal control chapter for at-large, waste and sanitation offenses. Nothing in Section 5.420 limits the rule to nighttime hours; the 10-minute and 30-minute thresholds apply at any time of day or night.