Learn how to file a noise complaint in unincorporated King County and other cities and towns in King County.
noise complaint contactsFor loud and disorderly neighborhood noise
King County Sheriff's non-emergency line: 206-296-3311
For construction matters
You can find more information on noise guidelines and what is acceptable below.
If you have a noise complaint in another city or town in King County, visit their city/town website. You can search for their Code Enforcement or Code Compliance office.
The King County Ordinance, Title 12, Public Peace, Safety and Morals provides guidelines for allowable noise, violations, and exemptions.
Complaints and violations: (Ordinance Sections 4, 72, 87, 95, 96, 98):
Variance requests for people planning projects or activities (Ordinance Sections 82, 83, 102, 103):
Noise in general, with some exceptions, must abide by these decibel limits. Exceptions include pure tones, impulsive sounds, vehicles, watercraft, and construction. These can have different requirements. See Variances and Exemptions below for more information.
| Receiving property district | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sound source district | Rural | Residential | Commercial | Industrial |
| Rural | 49 dB(A) | 52 dB(A) | 55 dB(A) | 57 dB(A) |
| Residential | 52 dB(A) | 55 dB(A) | 57 dB(A) | 60 dB(A) |
| Commercial | 55 dB(A) | 57 dB(A) | 60 dB(A) | 65 dB(A) |
| Industrial | 57 dB(A) | 60 dB(A) | 65 dB(A) | 70 dB(A) |
Night-time limits are quieter. Between 10 pm and 7 am weekdays, and between 10 pm and 9 am weekends, these decibel limits are 10 decibels less.
Also, noise must not be a public nuisance noise that disturbs a community or neighborhood.
Noise must also not be a public disturbance noise that unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace or comfort of another. Time of day can be a factor in determining reasonableness. Examples include:
Frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds from sources such as:
King County defers to state law for vehicle decibel limits on public highways (Table I of WAC 173-62-030). Vehicles operated off public highways that make noise in rural or residential districts must follow the decibel table shown above. Mufflers and other sound-dissipating devices are not allowed to be removed or made inoperative except for repair. Non-emergency squealing or screeching of tires is unlawful.
Within 50 feet of shoreline or property, the decibel limit for watercraft is 74 decibels. For rural or residential districts, the limit from 10 pm to 7 am is 64 decibels.
Construction noise is regulated by time of day instead of decibel level. Normal and usual sounds created by construction are allowed during the following times:
Animal noise is governed by Title 11. Any animal that makes "oral noises to an unreasonable degree, in such a manner as to disturb a person or neighborhood" is in violation of the animal code (K.C.C. 11.04.230).
A variance from the noise standards can be granted by the Director of the King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER) as part of a DPER permitted activity. Please see K.C.C. 16.82.105.B. for the review process for such a request.
For any other activity, temporary variances can be granted by DPER for up to 14 days. The request can’t affect a large number of people, or endanger public health or safety. This will be determined by the director. A request must be submitted to the Director of DPER within these timeframes:
DPER can determine which category your request would fall under.
Some noises are exempt from the noise code all the time, and some are exempt for certain times of day. Some are pre-empted by other regulations (e.g., aircraft flight operations); others are related to safety (fire alarms, etc.). The Director of the King County Permitting Division can exempt noise from emergency work necessary for the health, safety or welfare of the community.
Please refer to Ordinance 18000 for the entire list of exemptions.
If you are cited for a noise infraction, the fines go up for each violation within a 12 month period. Mediation is encouraged. If you make a good faith attempt to mediate with the complaining party for your first violation within a 12-month period, the court has the option to dismiss your case. Citations for noise infractions and variance decisions are appealable.