Taylor, TX Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Barking dogs and other noisy animals are nuisances under two overlapping provisions of the Taylor Code of Ordinances. Section 4-4(e), in the animal control chapter, declares it unlawful to keep any animal which causes loud and unusual or frequent barking, howling or other noise that disturbs the peace and quiet of any person of ordinary sensibilities. Section 19-4(b)(13), in the general noise chapter, separately lists the keeping of any animal or bird which causes frequent or long continued noises which disturb a person of ordinary sensibilities or disposition in the immediate vicinity among the acts the city declares to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise.

Neither section requires a decibel reading; the standard is whether the barking would disturb a hypothetical person of ordinary sensibilities, so a documented pattern and a neighbor's complaint are usually what triggers enforcement. Because the provisions sit in different chapters, either the animal control officer or the police department, which enforces chapter 19 generally, can act on a complaint. 00 for health or sanitation violations, with each day treated as a separate offense. There is no separate barking dog citation form or required warning period in the text of either section; a single credible, documented complaint is sufficient to support a charge.