Westminster, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

on any premises in the city of Westminster constitutes a public nuisance," and treats every day beyond the ten-day correction notice as a new, separate offense. 020 is specific: a dog is a "barking dog" if it barks, bays, cries or howls audibly beyond the property line for an extended period, defined as thirty or more minutes of incessant noise or sixty or more cumulative minutes of intermittent noise in any 24-hour period. The definition carves out two defenses: the dog is not a "barking dog" if someone was trespassing or threatening to trespass on the property when it barked, or if the dog was being teased or provoked.

190: an animal control officer or police officer may issue an administrative citation based on a sworn, signed complaint from a disturbed neighbor (lodged with the Westminster Police Department) even without personally witnessing or hearing the barking. Before citing, the officer must send or personally serve a written warning notice giving the responsible person ten days from mailing or service to abate the nuisance. 090. These administrative remedies are cumulative with, not a substitute for, any criminal or civil remedy otherwise available under the code.