Madera County, CA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

In unincorporated Madera County, barking-dog complaints fall under Title 6 (Animals and Agriculture) rather than the general noise chapter. Section 6.04.410 (Disturbing peace and quiet prohibited) states: 'It is unlawful for any person to permit any dog in his possession to habitually destroy the peace and quiet of any person or neighborhood by excessive barking or howling.' Section 6.04.430 (Abatement of noise or nuisance) provides that upon receipt of a complaint from a person living in the neighborhood that any dog, cat, animal, poultry or household pet is a 'habitual nuisance by reason of howling, barking, or other noise,' or is otherwise causing undue annoyance, the animal control officer who finds such a public nuisance exists must serve notice on the owner or custodian to abate it. If the nuisance cannot be successfully abated and the animal control officer determines impoundment is necessary, the animal will not be returned until the owner makes adequate arrangements to ensure abatement. The Madera County 'dog zone' is defined in Section 6.04.520 as 'the unincorporated territory within the county of Madera,' confirming these rules apply to areas like Oakhurst, North Fork and Yosemite Lakes, not the incorporated cities. The general noise ordinance (Chapter 9.58) does not separately fix animal-noise decibel limits.