How Marysville Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Marysville maintains 123 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Marysville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Decibel Limits

Marysville sorts every property into three noise zones, called EDNA classes, under Marysville Municipal Code § 6.76.030: Class A is residential, Class B is commercial and institutional, and Class C is industrial. Section 6.76.040 bars noise from crossing onto another property above the maximum level set in WAC 173-60-040, which the city adopts by reference.

Key details: Class A EDNA: single- and multi-family residential zones. Class B EDNA: commercial, mixed-use and institutional zones. Class C EDNA: light and general industrial zones. Standard adopted: WAC 173-60-040 by reference. First violation: $250 civil infraction.

A first violation of the noise chapter is a civil infraction carrying a $250.00 penalty (MMC § 6.76.090). Anyone cited, or warned by an officer, who violates the chapter again within 24 hours commits a misdemeanor. Each separate or continuing violation can be cited or charged on its own, and the chapter's penalties are cumulative with any other remedy available under the code or common law.

Vehicle Noise

Marysville Municipal Code § 6.76.070(1) bars operating a motor vehicle on any public highway in violation of the state standards in WAC 173-62-060(1) through (4), adopted by reference. Section 6.76.060(8)-(9) separately makes it a nuisance to run a vehicle or portable audio system audible more than 75 feet away when not on the operator's own property.

Key details: Motor vehicle noise standard: WAC 173-62-060(1)-(4), adopted by reference. Vehicle/portable audio limit: audible beyond 75 feet off the operator's property. Engine start/repair/test noise: banned in Class A residential EDNA zones. "Public highway" defined: any way in the city open to vehicular traffic. First violation: $250 civil infraction.

A vehicle noise violation, whether under the WAC-based standard in § 6.76.070 or the 75-foot audio rule in § 6.76.060(8)-(9), is a $250.00 civil infraction under MMC § 6.76.090. A driver cited or warned by police who violates the noise chapter again within 24 hours is guilty of a misdemeanor for the repeat offense. Each occurrence may be cited separately and the penalties are cumulative with other remedies.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Marysville Municipal Code § 6.76.060(5) makes it a public nuisance to run a sound amplifier or similar device on public streets to advertise, sell or draw attention to a vehicle, structure or property, unless the vendor sells solely from a moving vehicle. Subsection (6) separately bars loud, raucous noise that interferes with a school, church, hospital, sanitarium, or nursing or convalescent facility.

Key details: Street sound amplifiers: banned for advertising or sales (§ 6.76.060(5)). Moving-vehicle vendor exception: exempt from the amplifier ban. Protected institutions: schools, churches, hospitals, nursing homes (§ 6.76.060(6)). Park event exception: scheduled PA systems at games/concerts exempt. First violation: $250 civil infraction.

Violating any § 6.76.060 nuisance category, including the street-amplifier and institution-noise rules, is a $250.00 civil infraction under MMC § 6.76.090. A second violation within 24 hours of a citation or a police warning is charged as a misdemeanor instead. Each occurrence can be cited separately, and the penalties stack with any other remedy the city or an injured party may have.

Construction Hours

Marysville Municipal Code § 6.76.060(11) makes construction work before 7:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. a public nuisance citywide. The chapter defines "construction" broadly to cover site preparation, assembly, erection, demolition, repair, maintenance or alteration of public or private rights-of-way, structures or utilities.

Key details: Allowed construction hours: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. Barred hours: before 7:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m.. "Construction" defined: site prep, erection, demolition, repair, alteration. First violation: $250 civil infraction. Repeat within 24 hours: misdemeanor.

Running construction noise outside the 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. window is a $250.00 civil infraction under MMC § 6.76.090. A contractor cited, or warned by police, who violates the hours restriction again within 24 hours is guilty of a misdemeanor rather than a further civil infraction. Each day or occurrence can be charged separately, and the noise chapter's penalties are cumulative with any other remedy available under the code.

Quiet Hours

Marysville has no blanket nighttime quiet-hours ordinance: its curfew targets yelling, shouting, or singing on or near public streets, flagging 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. as the key window.

Key details: Flagged hours: 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.. Governing section: MMC § 6.76.060(4). Scope: Street noise only, not blanket curfew. First violation: $250 civil infraction.

Yelling, shouting, or singing on or near public streets, especially between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.; a public-nuisance violation under MMC § 6.76.060(4).

Barking Dogs

Marysville treats frequent, repetitive, or continuous animal noise that disturbs neighbors as a public nuisance, though sounds from lawfully run shelters, kennels, pet shops, and vet clinics are exempt.

Key details: Governing section: MMC § 6.76.060(1). Exempt: Shelters, kennels, pet shops, vet clinics. First violation: $250 civil infraction. Enforced by: Marysville Police Dept..

A dog or other animal making frequent, repetitive, or continuous noise that unreasonably disturbs neighbors; a public-nuisance violation under MMC § 6.76.060(1).

The Bottom Line

Marysville'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 Marysville is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Marysville's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.