How Yakima Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Yakima maintains 119 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 Yakima falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Vehicle Noise

Yakima outlaws unnecessarily loud vehicle noise from sudden starts, stops, exhaust or a bad muffler, and separately bans compression ("jake") braking citywide at all times under YMC § 9.50.260, with only a narrow bona-fide-emergency defense and required "Unmuffled Compression Brakes Prohibited" signage.

Key details: Jake brake ban: Citywide, 24/7. Exemption: Municipal fire vehicles only. Defense: Bona fide emergency (driver's burden). Required signage: "Unmuffled Compression Brakes Prohibited". Penalty: Traffic infraction under § 9.60.030.

A jake-brake violation under § 9.50.260(b) is a traffic infraction enforced through YMC § 9.60.030, the same section that sets a $20 base fine for listed parking infractions and, for any traffic-title violation without a specifically assigned penalty, misdemeanor exposure of up to $500 and 90 days in jail. A general unreasonable-noise violation under subsection (a) is likewise chargeable as a traffic infraction, and repeated unmuffled-noise complaints can also trigger Yakima's separate public disturbance noise ordinance at YMC § 6.04.180.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Yakima actively enforces its vehicle noise requirements.

Barking Dogs

Yakima bans habitual dog barking, growling, yelping, howling or whining lasting 15 minutes or more once a verified complaint substantiates it, punishing violators with a $250 civil infraction under YMC § 6.20.280.

Key details: Fine: $250 civil infraction. Duration threshold: 15+ minutes habitual barking. Proof required: Verified complaint. Defense: Guard dog responding to intruder.

Habitual barking, growling, yelping, howling or whining lasting 15+ minutes, confirmed by a verified complaint, draws a $250 civil infraction; a guard dog responding to a trespasser is an affirmative defense.

Aircraft Noise

Development in Yakima's airport overlay Zone 4A must record a deed declaration acknowledging aircraft noise, vibration, fumes and dust before the city will approve it, and indemnify the city against related claims.

Key details: Applies to: Airport Safety Overlay Zone 4A. Requirement: Recorded deed declaration, County auditor. Covers: Noise, vibration, fumes, dust, particulates. Effect: Precondition of development approval. Governing code: YMC Chapter 15.30.

Building in Zone 4A without the recorded deed declaration and indemnification is grounds for the city to withhold development approval; the recording is a precedent condition, not an optional formality.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Yakima limits amplified outdoor music and entertainment at permitted special events to the hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with exceptions only if the city manager approves a staff recommendation.

Key details: Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Exceptions: City manager approval required. Scope: Applies only to permitted special events. Citation: YMC § 9.70.090(6)(N).

Breaching the outdoor-music hours condition is a misdemeanor under YMC § 9.70.310, punishable by up to a $500 fine, 90 days in jail, or both, and can void the special event permit.

Construction Hours

Yakima exempts construction noise from its public disturbance noise law only from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.

Key details: Weekday hours: 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.. Sunday/holiday hours: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.. Governing section: YMC § 6.04.180(F)(15). Penalty outside hours: misdemeanor, YMC § 6.04.180(H).

Construction noise outside the permitted hours loses its exemption and can be charged as public disturbance noise, a misdemeanor under YMC § 6.04.180(H).

Decibel Limits

Yakima's public disturbance noise ordinance skips decibel meters: YMC § 6.04.180 instead bans sound that is "plainly audible" more than 50 feet from its source for music, sound systems and vehicle stereos, while exempting lawfully established commercial and industrial noise and daytime construction under subsection F.

Key details: Standard used: "Plainly audible" beyond 50 feet, not dB. Commercial/industrial noise: Exempt under (F)(16). Construction exemption hours: 6am-10pm weekdays, 8am-10pm Sun/hol.. Violation class: Misdemeanor (subsection H). Permit available: Office of code administration, hardship test.

Public disturbance noise is a straight misdemeanor under YMC § 6.04.180(H), exposing a violator to Yakima's general Title 6 penalty framework. Joining or participating in an activity that violates the terms of a noise permit is separately unlawful under § 6.04.180(G)(2). Because there's no meter threshold, enforcement turns on the "plainly audible... fifty feet" distance test and the ten disturbance factors (time of day, duration, frequency, and the character of the affected area) listed in subsection E.

The Bottom Line

Yakima'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 Yakima is broadly strict or permissive.

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