Auburn's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Auburn, Washington, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Construction Hours

Auburn bars construction noise, including equipment, power tools and hammering, before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, and before 9:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. on Sundays. In R-1, R-2, R-3, LHR and PUD zones the window tightens to 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. weekends. ACC 8.28.010(B)(8) sets both windows.

Key details: Governing section: ACC 8.28.010(B)(8). Default hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Residential/PUD hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends. Hours-expansion request: Written application to planning director. Appeal path: City hearing examiner.

Building or renovating outside the permitted hours, generally 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. weekdays or the tighter 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. window in residential and PUD zones, draws a civil penalty of up to $250 for a first violation under ACC 8.28.020, up to $500 for a repeat within two years, and misdemeanor exposure under ACC 1.24.010 for a third offense at the same site within 12 months.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Auburn caps audio volume from vehicle stereos and portable audio equipment such as radios and CD players at whatever is audible beyond 50 feet, whether the sound comes from a parked or moving vehicle or from a device carried or set up on private property. ACC 8.28.010(B)(5)-(6) makes exceeding that distance a public disturbance noise, enforced with civil penalties by Auburn police.

Key details: Governing section: ACC 8.28.010(B)(5)-(6). Vehicle audio limit: Audible beyond 50 feet from vehicle. Portable equipment off-property: Audible beyond 50 feet from source. Portable equipment on-property: Audible beyond 50 feet from property line. First-offense penalty: Civil penalty up to $250.

Playing a vehicle stereo or portable audio equipment loud enough to carry more than 50 feet draws a civil penalty of up to $250 for a first offense under ACC 8.28.020, rising to $500 for a second offense inside two years. A third violation at the same location within 12 months becomes a misdemeanor under ACC 1.24.010.

Vehicle Noise

Auburn bans frequent or continuous horn and siren sounds except danger warnings, disruptive engine starting, repair, rebuilding or testing noise in residential districts, tire squealing from rapid acceleration or braking, and nonemergency vehicle sounds audible past 25 feet that repeatedly annoy two or more neighbors, especially between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Auburn police enforce these public disturbance noise rules under ACC 8.28.010(B).

Key details: Governing section: ACC 8.28.010(B)(1)(2)(7)(10). Distance test: Audible more than 25 feet from vehicle. Nighttime presumption: 10 p.m.-7 a.m. weekdays, 10 p.m.-9 a.m. Sundays. First-offense penalty: Civil penalty up to $250. Repeat penalty: Up to $500 within two years.

First violations of Auburn vehicle noise rules draw a civil penalty up to $250; a second violation within two years raises the penalty to as much as $500. If the same violator racks up three or more separate violations at the same location within a 12-month span, any further violation becomes a misdemeanor prosecuted under ACC 1.24.010, not just a civil infraction.

Quiet Hours

Auburn treats yelling, shouting, whistling or singing on or near public streets as a public disturbance noise, particularly between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., or at any time it unreasonably disturbs a neighbor's peace and comfort. ACC 8.28.010(B)(3) sets this nighttime curfew, enforced by Auburn police with civil penalties escalating to a misdemeanor for repeat offenders.

Key details: Governing section: ACC 8.28.010(B)(3). Curfew window: 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.. Covered conduct: Yelling, shouting, whistling, singing. First-offense penalty: Civil penalty up to $250. Repeat penalty: Up to $500 within two years.

A first citation for shouting or singing near public streets after 10:00 p.m. carries a civil penalty of up to $250 under ACC 8.28.020; a second citation within two years can reach $500. Three or more violations at the same address within 12 months elevate any further citation to a misdemeanor charge under ACC 1.24.010.

Leaf Blower Rules

Auburn restricts noisy yard equipment, lawnmowers, powered hand tools and snow removal machines, used for homeowner maintenance or repair projects to between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sundays. ACC 8.28.010(B)(9) sets these hours, with violations enforced by Auburn police as public disturbance noise.

Key details: Governing section: ACC 8.28.010(B)(9). Permitted hours (Mon-Sat): 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Permitted hours (Sunday): 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Covered equipment: Lawnmowers, power tools, snow removal gear. First-offense penalty: Civil penalty up to $250.

Running a lawnmower, leaf blower or other power yard equipment before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, or before 9:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. on Sundays, is a public disturbance noise punishable by a civil penalty up to $250 for a first offense and up to $500 for a repeat within two years under ACC 8.28.020.

Barking Dogs

Auburn makes it unlawful for a dog, cat or other animal's owner or custodian to let the animal habitually howl, yelp, bark or make other noises that unreasonably disturb another person. ACC 8.28.010(C) treats habitual barking as a public disturbance noise violation, enforced by Auburn police and animal control with civil penalties.

Key details: Governing section: ACC 8.28.010(C). Standard: Habitual howling, yelping or barking. Who is liable: Owner or person with custody of animal. First-offense penalty: Civil penalty up to $250. Repeat penalty: Up to $500 within two years.

An owner whose dog or other animal habitually barks, howls or yelps and disturbs a neighbor faces a civil penalty of up to $250 for a first violation under ACC 8.28.020, up to $500 for a second violation within two years, and misdemeanor prosecution under ACC 1.24.010 for a third violation at the same address within 12 months.

Decibel Limits

Auburn caps operational noise from battery energy storage systems (BESS) measured at the property line by zone: 60 decibels next to residential uses, 65 next to commercial, and 70 next to industrial, enforced under the city's general noise chapter.

Key details: Residential limit: 60 decibels at property line. Commercial limit: 65 decibels at property line. Industrial limit: 70 decibels at property line. Enforced under: Chapter 8.28 ACC (noise control). Safety certification: UL 9540 required.

A BESS operator whose average property-line noise exceeds the applicable 60/65/70-decibel zone limit is out of compliance with ACC 18.31.240(B)(3) and enforceable under Chapter 8.28 ACC, the city's general noise ordinance; the same section conditions permit issuance on UL 9540 safety certification and required insurance coverage through full decommissioning.

The Bottom Line

Auburn's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Auburn is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Auburn can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.