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

Wayne County Code § 30-148(d), part of the county's noise ordinance for the rural areas outside all municipal limits, makes it unlawful to keep any animal or bird in a manner causing frequent or long continued noise that unreasonably disturbs the comfort and repose of anyone in the vicinity. The rule sets no fixed duration or decibel threshold; it turns on whether the barking or other animal noise is frequent or long continued enough to disturb a neighbor's repose, which the Sheriff's Office assesses case by case under § 30-141.

A resident who wants relief files a complaint under § 30-152; a deputy investigates, and if the investigation confirms a violation, the deputy may issue a written warning or civil citation, or seek criminal process. Section 30-149(16) exempts noise made by dogs while hunting or being lawfully trained by hunters, emergency service personnel, or law enforcement, and § 30-149(22) exempts noise from a service animal. Violations otherwise follow the same escalating civil citation schedule in § 30-153 that applies to the rest of the noise article, moving from a warning to a $50, $100, $250, and finally $500 penalty for repeat offenses within a year. § 153A-133, which lets the county regulate noise and amplified speech outside any municipality.