Barking Dogs & Other Noise Nuisances

It is unlawful to permit any animal to unreasonably make a disturbance, such as repeated episodes of continuous noise lasting 10 minutes or episodes of intermittent noise lasting 30 minutes, providing someone did not intentionally provoke the animal other than the owner.

Steps for Solving Noise Issues

1. Talk to the owner

Try talking to the dog owner about the activities of their pet and what steps can be taken to resolve the problem. Sometimes pet owners are not aware of their pet's actions, especially when they are not at home.

Flickr user Bree Bailey, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

2. Send our barking dog materials to the owner

You may download our

Barking Dog Letter and Advice Guide (PDF, 271.45 KB)

(PDF, 244KB) to send to the dog’s owner. This guide and letter are designed to help your neighbor understand the problem and offer some ideas about correcting the barking dog problem.

3. Try neighborhood mediation

Neighborhood Mediation is another avenue for resolution. Sit down with a third party and talk about the issues.

Portland residents can contact Resolutions Northwest. For conflict resolution services in Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, and East Multnomah County, contact East Metro Mediation.

4. Last resort: File a formal complaint

If the prior steps are unsuccessful or unavailable and the problem persists, you may file a formal complaint using the Animal Nuisance Complaint Form

Animal Nuisance Complaint Form and Instructions (PDF, 101.34 KB)

The form must include the date and times of the violation and meet the guidelines, defined as a dog barking repeatedly for 10 minutes or intermittent episodes lasting a minimum 30 minutes. (The requirements are the same for other non-canine animal noises.)

Please Mail and Include

Accompanying video files for the date and time of the alleged violation. This video must meet the above listed requirements for a violation.

An inability to substantiate a violation with documented date and times will result in no action by Multnomah County Animal Services.

After you have completed the animal nuisance complaint form

Bring it to us at 1700 W Historic Columbia River Highway in Troutdale.
Or you may mail it to Multnomah County Animal Services, Attention: Legal Aide Officer, 1700 W Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060.

5. What happens next?

See the Notice of Infraction Process page.

Complaint Form Instructions

Download and Print the complaint form

Download the Complaint Form

Complainant(s):

Complainant(s) must fill out the form completely including signing the form. If there are additional complainants (optional), they may add their contact information also.

Incident Date and Time:

List a specific date and time that the barking or nuisance occurred. The incident must meet the guidelines set forth in chapter 13.305(B)(5) of the ordinance, defined as continuous noise for at least 10 minutes or repeated episodes of intermittent noise lasting a minimum of 30 minutes. (The requirements are the same for other non-canine animal noises.)

Evidence:

Complaint forms MUST be accompanied by video evidence of the alleged violation meeting the 10 or 30 minute guideline. Complaints without video evidence will NOT be considered.

Owner of Animal:

In order to process a complaint, we must have owner contact information for the animal(s).

Description of Animal:

Please be as complete as possible. Attach additional sheets if needed.

Notice to Complainant(s):

Complainant(s) listed on the complaint form must be willing to appear at a hearing, or this incident could be dismissed.

Mail the completed form and video to:

Multnomah County Animal Services

1700 W Historic Columbia River Hwy,

Troutdale, OR 97060

Questions?

E-mail barking.trespass@multco.us