REPORT A NOISE COMPLAINT
Washoe County Ordinance 55.125 - Keeping of Noisy Animals.
It is unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or own any animal which by making loud and frequent noises causes annoyance to the neighborhood or to a reasonable person in the vicinity.
While barking dogs are the majority of complaints received, this ordinance is not limited to dogs. Crowing roosters and other animals can cause an annoyance to the neighborhood. Therefore, when reporting a noise complaint, please be specific about the description of the animal causing the nuisance.
1st Complaint
If you are reporting a noise complaint for the first time, that animal owner will be sent a Notice of Complaint, along with a letter that explains the law; the letter also gives some helpful tips on how they might control the noise.
It is not illegal for an animal to make noise; chronic noise and/or noise for long periods of time constitutes a legal nuisance. We ask that you give the animal owner time to react to the Notice of Complaint (generally a week). If the animal owner fails to correct the problem, you may file another complaint and request that the party be given a Final Notice.
Please include the following information on your complaint;
- The location where the animal lives (street address)
- The description of the animal (white poodle, brown horse)
- The time the animal generally makes noise (11pm to midnight)
- The date the animal was making noise (Saturday June 12th)
2nd Complaint
Should the animal owner fail to take corrective action you may request a "Final Notice" be sent. Once again, we ask that you give the animal owner time to take corrective action (generally a week). Most animal owners will respond to the "Final Notice". As a precaution, we suggest that you begin to document the noise by keeping a written log in the event that the Final Notice fails to bring about the desired change.
Should it be necessary to take further legal action against the animal owner, the court will apply a reasonable person's standard in attempting to determine if the noise constitutes a "legal" nuisance. Additionally, the District Attorney's Office has a duty to not proceed with any case that lacks sufficient evidence, and therefore you may need additional witnesses and/or evidence (a video or audio tape) to successfully prosecute. The two key elements that need to be demonstrated are frequency and/or duration of the noise.
Should the animal owner fail to take corrective action, you will have various options that may include court funded mediation or a citizen's arrest. One of our officers will assist you with your case. When reporting a 2nd noise complaint please include the following information; Due to the nature of this type of complaint, legal action cannot be taken without your testimony and therefore we cannot proceed beyond sending the two notices without your cooperation and testimony. If you would like further assistance on a noise complaint, please request a Sergeant contact you. Notice: All reports are subject to public records request.
3rd Complaint
If the notices have not produced an acceptable remedy to the animal noise disturbance and you have supportive documentation such as; a completed log sheet, pictures, video or audio recording, please submit a 3rd complaint and your request will be assigned to a nuisance investigator. The investigator will contact you, set up a time to meet and review your documentation. Please remember, that without supportive documentation, the officer will have difficulty assisting you.