Stratford, CT Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

The governing rule is § 142-6(B)(4) in Chapter 142 (Noise), enacted by the Town Council of the Town of Stratford. It targets the keeper, not the animal: the keeping of any animal or bird which, by causing frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity. There is no decibel threshold, no minutes-of-barking count and no time-of-day condition in the text, so the test is whether the noise is frequent or long-continued and whether it disturbs a neighbor. Because § 142-6(B) lists acts declared unlawful without being exclusive, the general prohibition in § 142-6(A) on noise that annoys or disturbs the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others also backs a complaint.

A second route sits in the animal chapter. Article VIII of Chapter 83 covers complaints regarding domestic animals, defined as dogs and cats. Under § 83-30, on receipt of a complaint the Animal Control Officer and the Health Department Sanitarian investigate, and one listed condition is excessive noise from domestic pets. Actions can include reducing the number of pets and enforcing animal control ordinances and statutes. The owner has the right to appeal the orders of the Animal Control Officer and the Director of Health: the appeal can be made in writing, by telephone or in person, must be made within three business days of receipt of the order, and the decision must be mailed no later than seven business days after the hearing. The Director of Health or a designee handles inspections under Chapter 142 (§ 142-9).