Taunton, MA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Taunton, MA, 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
- Standard
- Audible 50 ft from lot line
- Code
- Chapter 315 + Ch. 191 Animals
- Fine (1st)
- Up to $100
- Enforcement
- Police / Animal Control / Board of Health
Summary
Taunton's noise ordinance Chapter 315 prohibits keeping any animal or bird that causes frequent or long-continued sounds plainly audible within a noise-sensitive zone or at 50 feet from the lot line. Violations are fined up to $100 for the first offense, escalating to $300.
Section 157. (a) Any person may file a complaint in writing to the hearing authority that a dog owned or kept in the city or town is a nuisance dog or a dangerous dog; provided, however, that no dog shall be deemed dangerous: (i) solely based upon growling or barking or solely growling and barking; (ii) based upon the breed of the dog; or (iii) if the dog was reacting to another animal or to a person and the dog's reaction was not grossly disproportionate to any of the following circumstances:
(1) the dog was protecting or defending itself, its offspring, another domestic animal or a person from attack or assault;
(2) the person who was attacked or threatened by the dog was committing a crime upon the person or property of the owner or keeper of the dog;
(3) the person attacked or threatened by the dog was engaged in teasing, tormenting, battering, assaulting, injuring or otherwise provoking the dog. The hearing authority shall investigate or cause the investigation of the complaint, including an examination under oath of the complainant at a public hearing in the municipality to determine whether the dog is a nuisance dog or a dangerous dog. Based on credible evidence and testimony presented at the public hearing, the hearing authority shall: (i) if the dog is complained of as a nuisance dog, either dismiss the complaint or deem the dog a nuisance dog; or (ii) if the dog is complained of as a dangerous dog: (A) dismiss the complaint; (B) deem the dog a nuisance dog; or (C) deem the dog a dangerous dog. (b) If the hearing authority deems a dog a nuisance dog, the hearing authority may further order that the owner or keeper of the dog take remedial action to ameliorate the cause of the nuisance behavior.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Taunton animal control addresses barking complaints when dogs bark excessively or continuously. Dog licensing is required through the town/city clerk per MGL c.140 §155. Dogs must be under control at all times (MGL c.140 §157). Residents should document incidents with dates, times, and recordings. Complaints are handled by the animal control officer. Persistent cases may proceed to hearing. MGL c.140 §157 allows selectmen/mayor to order restraint of nuisance dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules about barking dogs in Taunton?
How do I file a noise complaint about a barking dog in Taunton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Taunton
Compare Taunton to another location·View the Massachusetts noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle barking dogs.