Updated 10/2011

Noise Control

Introduction

In adopting legislation on noise control, the state legislature recognized that inadequately controlled noise adversely affects people's health, safety, and welfare, property values, and the environment. This page provides general information, legal references, and samples of provisions regulating noise by Washington cities and counties. A separate page addresses Noise Nuisances and includes provisions regulating noises from specific sources such as animals, vehicles, and construction.

Cities and counties in Washington follow three basic approaches to control noise problems: (1) adoption of noise control provisions based upon the state Noise Control Act, Ch. 70.107 RCW, utilizing decibel-based standards; (2) adoption of subjective "public disturbance noise" standards, which do not require the use of decibel meters for enforcement; or (3) a combination of these two approaches. Many of the smaller cities and towns have chosen the "public disturbance noise" approach.

Background

Discussion of Noise Regulations
Keeping it Quiet: Noise Control Ordinances and Regulations (), by Keith Harper, Legal Notes, MRSC Information Bulletin No. 467, 12/1990 - Older but still relevant
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

State v. Immelt, ___ Wn.2d ___ (2011) - The court found a free speech violation in Snohomish County’s public disturbance noise ordinance.
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
- Department of Planning and Development Noise Abatement Program
- Seattle Police Department Avoiding Noise
Snohomish County Code Ch. 10.01 - Noise Control
Spokane Municipal Code Sec. 10.08.020 - Public Disturbance Noise
Tukwila Ordinance No. 2293 (), passed 07/2010 - Amending city noise ordinance
Thurston County Code Ch. 10.36 - Public Disturbance Noise
West Richland Ordinance No. 17-95 (), passed 04/03/1995 - 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 Sec. 11.84A.070 - Public Disturbance Noises
Lakewood Municipal Code Ch. 8.36 - Noise Control
Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code Sec. 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 Sec. 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