Barking dog rules in Okaloosa County, FL — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
In unincorporated Okaloosa County, an animal that makes continuing or intermittent noise for more than 30 consecutive minutes, clearly heard across the property line, is a prohibited unnecessary noise under Land Development Code Chapter 9.
Okaloosa County's Community Noise Abatement rules name animals directly. Noise produced by any kept or raised animal or bird that continues or intermittently sounds for more than 30 consecutive minutes and disturbs a reasonable person, when clearly heard outside the property line, is an unreasonably loud and unnecessary noise. 'Clearly heard' means detectable at 55 dBA or more at the property line. Okaloosa County Animal Services and the Sheriff's Office handle complaints, so neighbors should log dates and times. Fla. Stat. 877.03 may apply to extreme cases. Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and HOA rules may add their own barking limits.
A barking-dog violation is prosecuted as a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and 60 days jail, or a civil fine of $250 for the first offense and $500 for each later one.
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See how Okaloosa County's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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