Noise Ordinances in Bellingham, WA (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Bellingham, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Bellingham's noise ordinance bars sound that unreasonably disturbs others' peace and comfort, and specifically restricts residential construction and industrial noise to outside the 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. window.
Bellingham Public Disturbance Noise Standard
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 10.24.120
C. It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound that is a public disturbance noise... 4. Construction and industrial noises... in residentially zoned areas, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., which unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of others.
Construction Hours
In residentially zoned areas, Bellingham bars motorized construction and industrial noise, including hammering, blasting, drilling and sawing, between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when it unreasonably disturbs neighbors. BMC 10.24.120(C)(4) exempts emergency utility repairs and allows the city council to grant timing variances for public projects.
Bellingham Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 10.24.120(C)(4), (D)
C. It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound that is a public disturbance noise. The following sounds are determined to be public disturbance noises: ... 4. Construction and industrial noises, including, but not limited to, motorized construction and equipment operation, hammering, blasting, drilling and sa...
Barking Dogs
Bellingham makes it a civil infraction, punishable by up to a $250 fine, to harbor or keep a dog whose frequent or habitual howling, barking, or other loud noise unreasonably annoys or disturbs a neighbor. Bellingham-Whatcom County Humane Society animal control officers enforce the rule under BMC 7.08.110(G), tied to the code's own defined 'barking dog' standard.
Bellingham Barking Dog Nuisance Ban
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 7.08.110(G); § 7.04.030
A violation of any of the following provisions shall constitute an infraction and shall subject the violator to a fine not to exceed $250.00: ... G. It is unlawful to harbor or keep a dog which by frequent or habitual howls, barks, or other loud noises, unreasonably annoys or disturbs another resident in the immediate neighborhood. [Ord. 10468 § 2, 1993]. ... "Barking dog" means any dog which b...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Bellingham bans amplified and portable audio loud enough to be heard beyond 50 feet from its source, plus late-night construction noise in residential zones, under the city's public disturbance noise ordinance in Whatcom County.
Bellingham Amplified Sound Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 10.24.120(C)(3)
It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound that is a public disturbance noise... 3. Sound from portable audio equipment, such as tape players, radios, and compact disc players, operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than 50 feet from the source and outside the property of the operator.
Aircraft Noise
Bellingham requires aircraft flying over the city to stay above 1,000 feet, a rule adopted specifically to minimize engine noise and vibration nuisance to people below.
Bellingham Sets 1,000-Foot Aircraft Altitude
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 10.56.010(A)
All aircraft of whatever type or description while being operated above the city, in an effort to provide a reasonable opportunity for a safe landing in any emergency situation and in an effort to minimize any nuisance to the public from engine noise or from any resultant vibration, shall maintain an altitude which is greater than 1,000 feet. B. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, th...
Decibel Limits
Bellingham caps mechanical equipment noise at 55 decibels near property lines in residential single and multi-family zones, on top of a separate ban within 3 feet of the line.
Bellingham WA Mechanical Equipment Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 20.10.080, Table 20.10.080, Note 12
Mechanical equipment is prohibited within three feet of a common property line with another lot. The maximum permissible noise level for mechanical equipment located within five feet of a common property line is 55 decibels (dBA). C. For corner lots, the front yard shall be that yard which abuts a designated arterial. If neither or both of the abutting streets are designated arterials, the bui...
Vehicle Noise
Bellingham makes it unlawful to run a car stereo audible beyond 50 feet or to use compression engine brakes (Jake brakes) on any motor vehicle within city limits, with a narrow exception for emergency fire apparatus.
Bellingham Vehicle Noise Rules
Significant RestrictionsBellingham Municipal Code § 11.15.400
A. It is unlawful for any person to operate or maintain a motor vehicle audio sound system, such as tape players, radios, and compact disc players, at a volume so as to be audible greater than 50 feet from the vehicle itself. B. It is unlawful for any person to operate a horn or siren attached to a motor vehicle in a frequent, repetitive, or continuous manner, except as a warning of danger or a...
Looking for Whatcom County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellingham city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Whatcom County →