New animal noise control rules

Published on November 18, 2014

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Barking dogs are a common cause of neighbourhood complaints. The Council has set limits on the amount of noise that is acceptable for dogs or other noisy animals to make.

Noise limits

Noise guidelines are based on the total amount of animal noise over certain time periods. If the following noise levels are exceeded, the owner may be issued with an on-the-spot fine.

Permitted animal noise levels

Time Day Noise limit

7am to 10pm

Every day

No more than six minutes animal noise in any hour

10pm to 7am

Every day

No more than three minutes animal noise in any half-hour


Handling animal noise complaints

If a dog or any other pet is annoying you, approach the pet's owner as soon as the problem arises and state your case clearly and politely. If, for example, a dog barks from loneliness or boredom when the owners are away from home, they might not realise their dog is causing a nuisance.