Whittier, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Whittier, CA, 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
- Governing section
- WMC § 8.32.040(A), Animals and Birds
- Audibility trigger
- Plainly audible next door or 50 ft away
- Exemption
- Occasional noise from licensed kennel/vet/pound
- Assessment method
- Officer's normal hearing, no decibel meter required
- Enforcement
- Infraction citation, escalating fines for repeats
Summary
A dog, bird or other animal that makes frequent or long continued noise loud enough to reach a neighboring home, or fifty feet from a nonresidential building, is presumed under Whittier Municipal Code section 8.32.040(A) to disturb the neighborhood's comfort and repose. That presumption is prima facie evidence of a noise violation, with a narrow exception for occasional noise from a legally operated kennel, veterinary clinic, animal hospital, humane society or pound.
Animals and Birds. The keeping of any animal or bird that causes frequent or long continued noise plainly audible by inhabitants or occupants of any adjacent or neighboring residential properties or units, or plainly audible at a distance of fifty feet from any nonresidential building or structure, shall be presumed to disturb the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity and shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this chapter; however, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to apply to occasional noises emanating from a legally operated kennel, animal hospital or veterinary clinic, humane society or pound.
Full Breakdown
040(A) singles out animal and bird noise for a presumption that ordinary noise-nuisance law elsewhere in the chapter leaves to case-by-case proof. 030, once a code enforcement officer or police officer confirms that a barking dog or other animal is frequently or continually plainly audible from a neighboring residential unit, or fifty feet from a nonresidential building, the noise is presumed to disturb the vicinity's comfort and repose and is prima facie evidence of a chapter violation. The city built in one carve-out: occasional noise from a legally operated kennel, animal hospital, veterinary clinic, humane society or pound does not count, recognizing those uses inherently generate some animal noise.
060 requires the enforcing official to rely on unenhanced hearing and, where possible, to get a direct line of sight and hearing to the property before confirming the source, rather than acting solely on a resident's report. 070, such as showing the noise came from a cause beyond their control that they diligently tried to cure, but a repeat, uncorrected barking problem will not qualify. 015, escalating for repeat violations of the same provision within a year.
Violations & Fines
A confirmed barking-dog or animal-noise violation under 8.32.040(A) is enforceable the moment an officer's own hearing confirms the animal is plainly audible next door or fifty feet from a nonresidential building; no citizen complaint or recording is required. First offenses are typically cited as an infraction, and repeat violations of the same section within a year escalate through the fine tiers set in the general penalty chapter, or the city attorney can instead file the matter as a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud does my neighbor's dog have to be to violate the code?
Are kennels and veterinary clinics exempt from the barking dog rule?
Does the officer need a recording or decibel meter to cite a barking dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whittier
California rules heatmap·Compare Whittier to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle barking dogs.