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Residents press board to tighten dog-barking rules for multifamily housing
Summary
A resident urged the Town of Alexandria to amend its 2010 dog-control law after repeated, long-duration barking in a multifamily condo complex; staff and counsel said the law can be expanded to prohibit noise audible from other properties but enforcement must be authorized in statute.
During public concerns, a resident described persistent, daily barking at a nearby condominium complex and urged the board to add clear escalation steps and enforcement for multiunit housing. The commenter said the problem lasts "7 and 8 hours a day" and that current options are inadequate for condo residents who cannot leave to escape the noise.
The resident said, "I live in a multifamily home, and we have a dog a barking dog, a dog that barks 7 and 8 hours a day," and asked the board to create an ordinance with an enforcement sequence (warnings, then fines or violations). Town counsel responded that the statute could be amended to prohibit noise that is audible from other properties but that the town must specify who is authorized to enforce it: "The statute is going to have to authorize that the enforcement of the barking law is done by a specific individual, and that individual has the ability to write tickets in the local justice court." Staff said they will review the draft law and return with options and legal boundaries before moving to a public hearing.
Board members encouraged the resident to provide written documentation of barking events and communications with neighbors so staff can use those records during drafting. The board also confirmed that any amendment would require a new public hearing and further notice before adoption.
