Winston-Salem, NC Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Winston-Salem, NC, 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
- Minimum duration
- 15+ minutes of habitual barking
- Notice-to-abate window
- 24 hours after police notify owner
- Geographic reach
- City plus one mile beyond limits
- Maximum fine
- $500.00, class 3 misdemeanor
- Kennels covered
- If dogs kept negligently or unreasonably
Summary
Winston-Salem treats dogs that bark, howl, or whine for 15+ minutes and seriously annoy neighbors as a nuisance. Police notify the owner on complaint, who then has 24 hours to abate it before facing a misdemeanor charge.
Any person keeping within the corporate limits of the city, or within one mile thereof, one or more dogs which habitually and regularly bark, howl or whine for at least 15 minutes so as to result in serious annoyance to neighboring residents and as to interfere with the reasonable use and enjoyment of the premises occupied by such residents shall be guilty of maintaining a nuisance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
Winston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 6-9 makes it a nuisance to keep one or more dogs that habitually and regularly bark, howl, or whine for at least 15 minutes, seriously annoying neighbors and interfering with their reasonable use and enjoyment of their property. The rule reaches owners inside the city and within one mile of the corporate limits. Under § 6-10, a police department representative must first notify the owner that a complaint was made, and the owner then has 24 hours to abate the nuisance before facing charges. Section 6-11 extends the identical standard to commercial dog kennels and veterinary premises when the dogs are kept in a negligent or unreasonable manner.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 6-9, § 6-10, or § 6-11 is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must a dog bark before it breaks Winston-Salem's law?
What happens after I report a barking dog to police?
Does the rule apply to a commercial kennel or vet's office?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina noise ordinances overview
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