In Maine, there’s no statewide barking limitation. Instead, individual municipalities—towns, cities, and occasionally counties—define what constitutes excessive barking and how it’s enforced. While a statewide bill (LD 133) aiming to broaden enforcement failed in early 2025, local codes remain the primary means of regulating nuisance dogs. This guide explores prominent municipalities’ laws, enforcement processes, and helpful advice for residents and dog owners.
🗺️ Overview of Local Ordinances
Maine towns typically define barking nuisances by duration or annoyance, applying thresholds such as continuous barking lasting several minutes or intermittent barking totaling longer time. While definitions differ slightly between municipalities, the common approach includes:
- Time thresholds—e.g., 10, 20, or 60 minutes
- Audibility limits—noise heard beyond the property boundary
- Complaint requirements—often written, sworn complaints or officer observations
- Penalty systems—warnings, civil or criminal fines, administrative or judicial escalation
State law (Title 7 §3950) prohibits municipal barking ordinances from applying to agricultural working dogs like herding or guard dogs, though these may still fall under nuisance designations if unreasonably loud :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
📍 Municipality Ordinances—Examples
Farmington (Franklin County)
Farmington’s Animal Control Ordinance declares “excessive or habitual barking” a public nuisance :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. Specific thresholds:
- Continuous barking for 1 hour (sustained)
- Intermittent barking for 3 hours total
- Noise must be audible at or beyond the property boundary :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Complaint procedure: Requires written, sworn statements with date/time data, usually filed with the Animal Control Officer or police :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Enforcement steps: Written warning → civil violation ($50–$250 fine) → escalating fees for repeat offenses → possible removal or sale of dog after court finding → double penalties for night-time barking or six+ violations in one year :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
Lyman (York County)
Lyman’s ordinance states it’s a violation to allow a dog to bark or yelp:
- Continuously for 20 minutes, or
- Intermittently totaling 30 minutes or more :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Violations are enforceable through municipal animal control or police, and carry fines or other remedies as set by Town code :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
York (York County)
York’s Noise Control Ordinance prohibits noise, including dog barking, that is “incessant for 10 minutes continuously or intermittently for 30 minutes or more” across property lines :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
Enforcement: A Noise Control Officer can measure noise levels, issue warnings, and if needed, summons with fines ranging from $100 to $500 :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Wilton (Franklin County)
Wilton Code specifies nuisance dogs as those that engage in prolonged, habitual, loud barking, howling, or whining “as to unreasonably and habitually disturb the comfort or repose of any other person” :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
Key terms: “Prolonged habitual” without specific durations, but interpreted to include repeated noise above neighbor comfort. Enforcement via Animal Control or Town officials :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
Auburn (Androscoggin County)
Auburn’s ordinance defines a dog as a nuisance if it causes repeated disturbance to people or property :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
Enforcement: Complaints are filed with Animal Control or police, who will investigate and issue warnings or citations per municipal code :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
Farmington, Wilton & Other Towns in Franklin County
Beyond Farmington and Wilton, many Franklin County municipalities define barking nuisances in general terms—“disturbing the peace” or “exceeding comfort limits.” Specific thresholds often align with 60 minutes continuous or cumulative barking. Enforcement is done by local Animal Control or law enforcement.
🆙 Statewide Context: LD 133
In early 2025, LD 133 proposed expanding enforcement by allowing individuals disturbed off-property to file complaints within 30 days, enabling investigations and potential civil penalties up to $5,000 :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}. Although the bill did not pass, it highlighted growing concern over nuisance animals and louder enforcement tools.
🔍 Common Enforcement Steps
- Notify the owner: While not always required, a neighborly heads-up can prevent escalation.
- Document incidents: Carefully log dates, times, duration, noise patterns, and whether audible at your boundary. Audio or video recordings are encouraged.
- File a formal complaint: Submit sworn written statements in municipalities that require them (e.g., Farmington). Others may accept police or Animal Control reports.
- Officer investigation: Animal Control Officer, Noise Officer, or Police will check compliance thresholds and issue one or more warnings.
- Issuing citations: Upon continued violation, towns issue civil or criminal summons with fines. Repeat violations may lead to higher fines, court orders, or dog removal.
- Repeat offense escalation: Typical escalation includes doubling of fines, possibility of dog removal, or court-ordered sale or placement of the dog.
💸 Penalties by Municipality
| Municipality | Nuisance Threshold | First Penalty | Repeat Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | 1 hr continuous or 3 hrs intermittent | $50–$250 fine | +$50 per repeat, double at nights, removal after 6 |
| Lyman | 20 min continuous or 30 min intermittent | Municipal fine | Higher fines or compliance actions |
| York | 10 min continuous or 30 min intermittent | $100–$500 | Warnings escalate to summons |
| Wilton | Prolonged habitual audible barking | Warning, then fine | Standard animal code enforcement |
| Auburn | Habitual barking disturbing peace | Warning → citation | Escalation per code |
📌 Why This Matters
- Protects community comfort: Chronic barking disrupts sleep, work, and mental health.
- Signals animal welfare concerns: Repeated loud barking may indicate neglect or distress.
- Offers structured solutions: Neighbors and owners can resolve issues with defined steps, minimizing conflict.
🤝 Advice for Neighbors
- Start with conversation: Owners often don’t realize the extent of the noise problem.
- Be precise: Include times, duration, and audio/video evidence in your documentation.
- Use the correct channel: Submit complaints to Animal Control, Noise Officer, or police depending on your town’s ordinance.
- Sworn statements matter: Some towns (like Farmington) require sworn written complaints to trigger enforcement.
- Track follow-through: Enforcement often depends on multiple incidents—stay engaged.
🐾 Advice for Dog Owners
- Identify triggers: Dogs bark due to boredom, anxiety, isolation, or environmental stimuli.
- Use enrichment: Exercise, mental games, training, and comfort reduce stress-driven barking.
- Adjust habitat: Bring dogs indoors during quiet hours, install sound barriers or white-noise machines.
- Train consistently: Use reward-based techniques to discourage prolonged barking.
- Be responsive: Address complaints immediately to avoid fines or legal action against your pet.
🌤️ Real-world Insight from Maine Residents
Local news and legislative discussions around 2025 show widespread concern over habitual barking—particularly during extended quiet hours. A Sun Journal article described the problem as “unbearable” for many residents, which is partly why LD 133 was introduced, though it failed :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
🔚 Conclusion
Maine’s approach to dog barking relies on localized control under municipal codes rather than statewide mandates. Towns like Farmington and York set clear duration thresholds, while others like Lyman or Wilton use broader nuisance definitions. The enforcement path—notification, documentation, complaint, warning, and citation—is consistent across municipalities. Through neighborly engagement, careful documentation, and swift corrective steps by owners, conflicts can be resolved constructively. For towns without explicit ordinances, state law still authorizes nuisance actions via Rule 80K. If you share your town or municipality, I can help you with ordinance text, sworn complaint forms, or direct contacts for Animal Control and Noise Officers.