Community
Nuisance Issues

Excessive Animal Noise

1. Excessive Noise. It is unlawful for an owner or custodian of an animal to allow the animal to emit any excessive noise after the Department has issued a written notice of an excessive noise complaint. For purposes of this section, the term “excessive noise” means a noise that is unreasonably annoying, disturbing, offensive, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.
2. Complaints. All complaints to the Department regarding violations of subdivision A. must be made in writing, signed under penalty of perjury, and must include the name, address, and telephone number of the complainant(s), as well as the address of the animal owner or custodian and a description of the noise, including the date(s) and approximate times of the excessive noise.
3. Violations.
   1. First Violation. The Department will issue a written notice to the owner or custodian of the animal advising of the noise complaint, after it receives a written complaint of excessive noise based on verifiable information. The notice will order the owner or custodian to abate the excessive noise within 10 days of the notice (“compliance date”).
   2. Second Violation. A second violation occurs if the animal owner or custodian fails to stop the excessive noise by the compliance date. A second violation is an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $100.
   3. Third Violation. A third violation occurs after a second violation if the animal owner or custodian fails to stop the excessive noise within 10 days after the notice  of  the  second  violation  is  mailed.  A third  violation is  an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $200.
   4. Subsequent Violations. Each subsequent violation after the third violation within one year of the original complaint is an additional infraction punishable by a fine of up to $500.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 214, 2016: Ord. 85-0204 § 23, 1985: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 9 § 904, 1946.)

Cleaning up After Pets

Excessive accumulation of animal waste on a pet owner’s property creates unsanitary conditions that are offensive to neighbors and unsafe for people and pets.  Pet owners who fail to pick up waste deposited by their pets while on walks also contribute to unsanitary conditions for others.  Pet owners are required by County ordinance to ensure their pets are not a nuisance to others.  This includes regularly removing and disposing of pet waste from one’s private property as well as removing and discarding their pet’s waste that has been deposited on others’ property as well as public property.

Dogs Running at Large

The County ordinance requires that dogs be restrained on a substantial leash not exceeding six feet in length by a person capable of controlling the dog while on public property or commons areas of private property.  It is unlawful to allow dogs to run at large.  Allowing dogs to run loose is very dangerous for them.  Dogs at large may be hit by cars, attacked by other animals, or exposed to dangerous substances such as poisons.  Unsterilized dogs at large will breed with other unsterilized dogs and create more unwanted pets in the community.  Pet owners are encouraged to be responsible and ensure their pets are safely restricted to their personal property.

Free Roaming Cats

While there is no leash law for cats, cat owners are still prohibited from allowing their cats to be nuisances to others.  Sometimes, free-roaming cats trespass onto other peoples’ properties, using flower beds or sandboxes for litter boxes.  This causes unsanitary conditions and is unlawful.  Click the button below to view the County’s policy regarding free roaming cats.