Noise Control
Contents
- Introduction
- Background
- Statutes
- Court Decisions
- Sample Ordinance Provisions
- MRSC Related Files
Introduction
In adopting a statute on noise control, the state recognized that inadequately controlled noise adversely affects people's health, safety, and welfare, the value of property, quality of life, and the environment. This page provides general information, legal references, and samples of provisions regulating noise by Washington local governments. A separate page addresses Noise Nuisances and includes provisions regulating noises from specific sources such as animals, cars and construction.
Most counties and cities in Washington follow two basic approaches to control noise problems: (1) adoption of noise control provisions based upon the state Noise Control Act utilizing decibel-based standards; (2) adoption of subjective "public disturbance noise" standards which do not require the use of decibel meters for enforcement; (3) or a combination of these two approaches. Many of the smaller cities and towns have chosen the "public disturbance" approach.
Background
- Discussion of Noise Regulations
- "Keeping it Quiet: Noise Control Ordinances and Regulations," (
811 KB) by Keith Harper, Legal Notes, MRSC Information Bulletin No. 467, December 1990
- What is Noise? Seattle Department of Planning and Development Noise Abatement Program
Statutes
- Ch. 70.107 RCW - Noise Control
- Ch. 173-60 WAC - Maximum Environmental Noise Levels
- Ch. 173-62 WAC - Motor Vehicle Noise Performance Standards
Court Decisions
- Seattle v. Eze, 111 Wn.2d 22, 759 P.2d 366 (1988)
- Spokane v. Fischer, 110 Wn.2d 541, 754 P.2d 1241 (1988)
- Holland v. City of Tacoma, 90 Wn. App. 533, 954 P.2d 290 (1998)
- Everett v. O'Brien, 31 Wn. App. 319, 641 P.2d 714 (1982)
Sample Ordinance Provisions
Combined Decibel-Based and Public Disturbance Ordinances
- Bellevue City Code Ch. 9.18 - Noise Control
- Edmonds City Code Ch. 5.30 - Noise Abatement and Control
- Kent Municipal Code Ch. 8.05 - Noise Control
- Lynnwood Municipal Code Ch. 10.12 - Noise
- Olympia Municipal Code Ch. 8.32 - Noise (Motor Vehicle Noise)
- Seattle Municipal Code Ch. 25.08 - Noise Control
- Snohomish County Code Ch. 10.01 - Noise Control
- Spokane Municipal Code Section 10.08.020 - Public Disturbance Noise
- Tukwila Ordinance No. 2002 ( 122 KB) - Amending city noise ordinance, 11/02
- Thurston County Code Ch. 10.36 - Public Disturbance Noise
- West Richland Ordinance No. 17-95 ( 504 KB) - Relating to Noise Regulation
Public Nuisance/Disturbance Noise Ordinances
- Battle Ground Municipal Code Ch. 9.42 - Public Disturbance Noise
- Chelan Municipal Code Ch. 8.31 - Public Disturbance Noise
- East Wenatchee Municipal Code Ch. 9.25 - Public Disturbance Noises
- Kirkland Municipal Code Section 11.84A.070 - Public Disturbance Noises
- Lakewood Municipal Code Ch. 8.36 - Noise Control
- Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code Ch. 8.20 - Regulation of Noise and Sound (See 8.20.010 Nuisance Noise)
- Oak Harbor Municipal Code Ch. 6.56 - Public Nuisance Noises
- Omak Municipal Code Ch. 7.20 - Public Disturbance Noises
- Poulsbo Municipal Code Section 9.80.120 - Public Disturbance Noises
- Puyallup Municipal Code Ch. 6.16 - Noise Control
- Shoreline Municipal Code Ch. 9.05 - Public Disturbance Noise
- Snoqualmie Municipal Code Ch. 9.36 - Public Disturbance Noises
- Stanwood Municipal Code Ch. 9.50 - Public Nuisance and Disturbance Noise