Barking dog rules in Washtenaw County, MI — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
There is no countywide barking-dog ordinance. Washtenaw County Animal Control (contracted to the Humane Society of Huron Valley) handles animal complaints, while Ann Arbor treats a barking-dog noise nuisance between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. as a Chapter 119 violation.
Animal control in Washtenaw County is provided through a contract with the Humane Society of Huron Valley, and dog licensing follows Michigan's dog law (MCL 287.262 and following). Barking-noise limits are municipal: Ann Arbor Chapter 119, Section 9:363(9), makes an animal noise nuisance (as defined in Ann Arbor's Chapter 107, Animals) unlawful after 10:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m. Outside those hours, a persistently barking dog can still be pursued under the general prohibition on unreasonable noise (Section 9:362). Townships enforce their own animal-noise rules through the Sheriff.
Ann Arbor noise civil infraction: $50-$500 plus costs, rising for repeat offenses; separate Chapter 107 animal penalties may also apply.
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See how Washtenaw County's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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