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

Wake County Code Chapter 91, Section 91.08 ("Animals Creating Nuisance") declares it unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess or maintain an animal in a manner that constitutes a nuisance. Subsection (B) lists nuisance behaviors. Under Sec. 91.08(B)(4), nuisance includes "Allowing or permitting an animal to bark, whine, howl or yowl in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion, or to make other noise in the manner so as to result in a serious annoyance or interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises."

The noise chapter contains a parallel rule. Section 92.05(O) prohibits "the keeping of any bird, livestock or other animal which by causing frequent or long continued plainly audible unreasonable noise disturbs the comfort or repose of any reasonable person in the vicinity." A complainant may proceed under either chapter; Wake County Animal Services typically routes barking-only complaints to the Sheriff's Office unless the conditions suggest neglect or cruelty (in which case Animal Services investigates under Ch. 91).

Jurisdictionally, Wake County Animal Services serves unincorporated Wake County plus the towns of Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon by interlocal agreement. The cities of Raleigh, Cary, Garner, and Holly Springs each run their own animal-control programs and do not rely on Wake County for routine enforcement. Owners typically receive a written warning to abate the nuisance before a citation is issued.