Tamarac, FL Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Tamarac, FL, also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances, define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Key Facts
- Covered animals
- Any animal, bird, or fowl (not just dogs)
- Trigger
- Persistent noise plainly audible at 15 feet
- Defense
- Barking provoked by a trespasser is a defense
- Complaint
- Sworn statement required, or officer's own observation
- First offense fine
- Up to $250/day
- Repeat fine
- Up to $500/day, or $5,000 via magistrate
Summary
In the City of Tamarac, Code section 9-87(4) makes it a per se noise violation to own, possess, or harbor any animal, bird, or fowl that persistently barks, bays, cries, howls, meows, or squawks so as to disturb an inhabitant's sleep, peace, or quietude, when the noise is plainly audible from a public street, from fifteen feet, or from the adjacent lot.
(4)The owning, possessing or harboring of any animal, bird or fowl which persistently barks, bays, cries, howls, meows, squawks or makes other noise so as to disturb the sleep, peace or quietude of any inhabitant of the city so that the noise emitted by such animal, bird or fowl is plainly audible from a public street, and/or from a distance of fifteen (15) feet and/or from the adjacent lot nearest to the building, structure, or yard in which the animal or bird is located. A person is responsible for an animal if the person owns, controls, or otherwise cares for the animal or bird. It shall be an affirmative defense to any charge hereunder that such animal, bird or fowl was emitting such noise in response to an intrusion upon the premises by any person;
Full Breakdown
Section 9-87 opens by declaring its enumerated acts, including persistent animal noise, unlawful per se, meaning no sound level measurement is needed to prove the violation exists once the statutory conditions are met. Subsection (4) reaches any animal, bird, or fowl, not just dogs, and makes a person responsible if they own, control, or otherwise care for the animal. It also builds in an affirmative defense: noise made in response to an intrusion onto the premises by any person is not punishable. Complaints are handled under section 9-95, which requires a citizen to sign a sworn statement before an officer investigates, though a law enforcement or code enforcement officer may also cite a violation from personal observation without any complaint at all. Contested cases go before the special magistrate, and Broward County Animal Care, not the noise ordinance, separately handles general animal-control matters such as licensing or bites.
Violations & Fines
Section 9-95(e) sets a first-offense fine of up to 250 dollars per day and a repeat-offense fine of up to 500 dollars per day for a barking-animal noise violation. The code enforcement board or special magistrate may instead impose an escalated schedule of up to 1,000 dollars per day for a first violation, 5,000 dollars per day for a repeat violation, and 15,000 dollars per violation if the noise is found irreparable or irreversible in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a barking dog automatically a code violation in Tamarac?
Is there a defense if my dog was barking at an intruder?
Who enforces a barking-dog noise complaint in Tamarac?
What fine applies to a repeat barking-dog noise violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tamarac
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tamarac to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle barking dogs.