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.
Barking dog

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

(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.

See also: 

(PDF, 233KB)

If the animal nuisance is related to livestock (chickens, roosters etc), contact Multnomah County Vector Control.

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

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.
  • Options for submitting video evidence:
    • Burn video of the incident onto a DVD or CD or upload the video to a flash drive, and include it with the mailing
    • Upload the video file to Youtube or another online video hosting service as a public or unlisted file and share the link along with your complaint form.
    • In order for Animal Services to act on your complaint, the video of the incident must be a specific documented date and time, and include video evidence for the duration of the noise incident (10 minutes of continuous barking or noise, or 30 minutes of intermittent noise) to substantiate the complaint.

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: Field Services Unit, 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