Dog barking noise (laws and soundproofing)

If a dog is barking, it can disrupt your sleep, and your work and cause a multitude of issues. There are legal routes you can take in the UK to stop dog barking from disrupting your life. There are also effective wall soundproofing solutions to block the noise coming into your home which may be an easier option.

UK law for dog barking

The UK law for dog barking is covered by the 1990 Environmental Protection Act. If a complaint is raised and the nose is considered to “unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises”^[1], then a council will have to take action, this includes dogs barking.

The council will serve an abatement notice to the persons responsible for the noise. This can be delayed up to 7 days while the person is given an opportunity to reduce the noise. An abatement notice will request that certain levels of noise are not exceeded, or, state times at which it is allowable.

Should this not resolve the barking issue, then the council can take further actions which include fines and an escalation for an injunction.

How to block barking noise

To block noise from a dog barking, you need materials of high mass as this reflects airborne noises. High-mass materials can include acoustic plasterboard, mass-loaded vinyl, and acoustic mineral wool. As it is likely the dog is barking inside and outside, you should also look at the seal around your windows and door. This can be updated easily with new foam tape to ensure a tight fit.

For wall soundproofing solutions, there are different options to suit your home and the noise issue. If the barking is very loud, you will need to use an isolation clip system, (MuteClip), as this provides the best soundproofing for space used. A MuteClip can be used on brick or stud walls and will create an isolation partition that resists airborne noise.

The best soundproofing for dog barking is one with an isolation system, acoustic mineral wool and several different layers of high mass materials. We use different materials of high mass as they each resist a different frequency of sound. Acoustic mineral wool helps to reduce reverberation inside the wall (echo), which can lead to amplification. It also damps sound and helps to reduce vibrations traveling along the soundproofing panels.

Our isolation systems start at £34 per meter squared for a brick wall and £41 per meter squared for a stud wall.

Does soundproofing work for dogs?

Yes, soundproofing works for dog barking noises if you use materials of high mass. High mass reflects airborne noises, like barking, and will reduce your disturbances. Adding in a layer of acoustic mineral wool will also help to ‘muffle’ the noise as it absorbs soundwaves and reduces reverberation. This can be achieved with a clip and channel system, MuteClip, or by erecting an independent stud wall in front of your existing wall and filling the cavity.

It is also worth speaking to your neighbors. If you notice the dog barks when they are out, you should notify them as they may be unaware. Also, if they keep the dog in a room with few soft materials, like curtains and carpets, it will make the noise worse. See if they could instead use more soft furnishings to reduce amplification through reverberation.

When is dog barking considered a nuisance?

Dog barking is considered a nuisance when the noise interferes with the use or enjoyment of a home. This is stated in the 1990 Environmental Protection Act which can be found here. Sound issues are subjective, and everyone experiences sounds differently, so it is good to get a record of when and how the barking has disturbed you to take to your council. It may also be worthwhile speaking to other neighbors to see if they have the same issue.

Who can I report dog barking to?

To report dog barking, go to your local council. Under the 1990 Environmental Protection Act, if the noise is considered a statutory nuisance, they will have to take action. It is best to be prepared and have a history of the issue and how it is affecting you or your household. Before speaking to the council, try speaking to the dog owners. If they are out for many hours, they might not be aware their dog is barking. They may also not realise it is disturbing you and others and be amenable to resolving the issue.