Surry County, NC Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 132.01(B) lists pets and animals among the acts the county declares to be loud and disturbing noise: keeping, possessing or harboring any dog, other animal or bird whose frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking or other natural sound causes an unreasonably loud noise and a serious annoying disturbance to a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities living nearby. Enforcement runs through § 132.99: a Sheriff's Deputy or an Ordinance Enforcement Officer may issue a citation carrying a civil penalty of $100 for a first violation and $300 for each subsequent violation by the same owner within one year, with unpaid citations recoverable through a civil action.

Alternatively, any private citizen, a Sheriff's Deputy or an Ordinance Enforcement Officer may apply to a magistrate for a misdemeanor warrant on a showing of probable cause, though a complaining citizen must fully identify themselves by name and address before a warrant issues. A misdemeanor charge can be waived by paying the fine and court costs at the district court's discretion, and a citation can be resolved by paying the civil penalty plus a $15 delinquency charge to the County Finance Officer within ten days. Each day the barking continues is treated as a separate, distinct offense.