Barking dog rules in Mariposa County, 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.
Barking dogs are the one noise topic Mariposa County regulates by ordinance. County Code Chapter 6.16 makes it unlawful to keep a dog that habitually barks, howls or yelps to the great discomfort of the neighborhood. A written complaint triggers notice from the animal control officer; unresolved cases can be referred to the District Attorney to abate the nuisance.
Mariposa County Code Chapter 6.16, titled 'Barking Dog(s) - Public Nuisance,' is the only codified noise-specific rule in the county and applies throughout the unincorporated county. Section 6.16.010 makes it unlawful to knowingly keep or harbor any dog that habitually barks, howls or yelps to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, or in such a manner as to disturb persons of ordinary sensibilities. Section 6.16.020 declares such dogs a public nuisance 'as defined in Penal Code Section 370,' and provides that upon written complaint of 'one (1) or more persons residing in the immediate neighborhood,' the animal control officer notifies the dog's owner or keeper to take steps to alleviate the noise. Under Section 6.16.030, if the owner does not comply, the complainant is referred to the District Attorney to sign a formal complaint, and the District Attorney may bring an action in superior court to abate the nuisance under Code of Civil Procedure Section 731. The animal control function is located in and supervised by the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office (Code Section 6.08.010(G)). There is no decibel measurement and no fixed minutes threshold; enforcement turns on whether barking is habitual and disturbing to the neighborhood.
Under Section 6.16.040, a violation of Section 6.16.010 is an infraction subject to the penalties in Chapter 1.20, except that a third and any subsequent violation within a year of the first may be charged as a misdemeanor. A separate offense is deemed committed for each day the condition continues after notice is given under Section 6.16.020.
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