St. Martin Parish, LA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Sec. 26-39(7) handles animal noise with a count instead of a decibel reading. Domestic animals, and any other animal not in a state of natural liberty, cannot make more than 60 vocalizations in any ten-minute period. The text names no hour of the day, so the count limit stands around the clock, and it names no species, so a barking dog, a crowing rooster or a caged bird falls under the same wording as long as it is a domestic animal or one not in a state of natural liberty.

The same sentence adds that the Sec. 26-37(a) limits are inapplicable at all times to animal sound. The decibel limits of 60 by day and 50 at night for residential property therefore do not measure a neighbor's dog; the count of vocalizations does. The introductory clause of Sec. 26-39 says these standards apply notwithstanding Sec. 26-37, which is why animals sit in a separate list of restricted activities beside power tools, construction work, alarms and handheld stereos.

Scope comes from Sec. 26-36, which applies the article to sound originating from or received by property in the unincorporated areas of St. Martin Parish. Sec. 26-35 states the purpose: the parish council concluded that excessive sound is a serious hazard to public health, welfare and safety, and that residents have a right to an environment free from excessive sound, especially at their residences during the hours when sleep and tranquility normally prevail. Sec. 26-38 exempts a list of sources, among them agricultural activities that are properly muffled, but animals kept as pets do not appear on that list. A violation is a criminal offense carrying the Sec. 26-40 penalty.