Maui County, HI Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Maui County, HI, 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
- Definition threshold
- 10 min continuous or 20 min intermittent
- Enforcing agency
- Animal control / enforcement officer
- Governing sections
- § 6.04.010, § 6.04.040(C)
- Max fine
- $500 per conviction
- First-offense minimum
- $100
- Third-offense minimum
- $500
- Trespass exception
- Barking from trespass not excessive
Summary
Maui County treats a dog that barks excessively as a nuisance under its animal control ordinance. Barking counts as excessive when it disturbs anyone for ten consecutive minutes or twenty minutes on and off, and owners face escalating fines from animal control for letting it happen.
"Excessive barking" means continuous and/or incessant barking, baying, crying, howling, or any other noise which disturbs any person at any time of day or night for ten consecutive minutes or intermittently for twenty minutes; provided, however, that barking shall not be deemed excessive if such barking is the result of a trespass or threatened trespass by a person or persons on private property on which the dog is situated or is the result of a person teasing or otherwise provoking the dog. ... Any person convicted of a violation of ... subsection 6.04.040.C, relating to excessive barking, and subsection 6.04.040.F shall be fined not more than $500. The minimum fine shall be as follows: for a first violation, a fine of not less than $100; for a second violation within five years after a prior violation under this section, a fine of not less than $200; and, for a third violation within five years after two prior violations under this section, a fine of not less than $500.
Full Breakdown
010 as continuous or incessant barking, baying, crying or howling that disturbs any person for ten consecutive minutes or intermittently for twenty minutes, at any time of day or night. The definition carves out barking triggered by a trespass or threatened trespass on the property where the dog is kept, or by a person teasing or provoking the dog. 010 also defines 'nuisance' to include a dog that causes a disturbance by excessive barking or other noisemaking, along with damaging or soiling property other than the owner's, causing unsanitary or offensive conditions, or chasing vehicles or attacking people or other animals.
040(C) makes it the owner's duty not to allow the dog to cause a nuisance and holds the owner responsible for every behavior of the dog. Complaints go to animal control or an enforcement officer, who investigates and can cite the owner. 110(B) applies a higher minimum fine schedule than most other animal-control violations in the chapter, and the licensing authority for dogs generally is the department of finance.
Violations & Fines
Section 6.04.110(B) fines an owner convicted of an excessive-barking nuisance up to $500. The minimum climbs with each repeat offense within five years: at least $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second, and $500 for a third. None of that minimum portion can be suspended by the court, and a second dog belonging to the same owner still counts as a repeat, not a fresh first offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a dog have to bark before it's illegal in Maui County?
What fine does a Maui dog owner face for excessive barking?
Can my neighbor's dog barking at an intruder get them fined?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maui County
Compare Maui County to another location·View the Hawaii noise ordinances overview
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