Noise from Specific Sources in Everett, WA (2026)
5 verified noise from specific sources rules for Everett, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Everett regulates HVAC condensers and other fixed mechanical equipment the same way as commercial and industrial noise sources generally: through decibel-based measurement against the district-specific dB(A) caps in Everett Municipal Code § 20.08.040, not a plainly-audible complaint standard.
Everett Fixed Equipment Noise Standard
Some RestrictionsEverett Municipal Code § 20.08.010(C)(1)
Regulation of noise due to the use of property for commercial and industrial purposes or operation of fixed equipment in any zone is appropriate for the use of noise measuring devices and a decibel-based approach. Properly trained and certified city staff or a certified consultant trained in the field of sound level measurement can be utilized in these situations when warranted. 2. Sporadi...
Car Alarm Limits
Everett prohibits the frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any vehicle horn, siren or alarm that's plainly audible across a property line or 50 feet from the source, unless it's genuinely warning of danger or legally required.
Everett Bans Nuisance Car Alarm Noise
Some RestrictionsEverett Municipal Code § 20.08.090(B)(1)
The following sounds, unless specifically exempted from this chapter, are prohibited if the sound is plainly audible across a real property line or fifty feet from the source, whichever is less: 1. The frequent, repetitive and/or continuous sounding of any horn, siren or alarm attached to a motor vehicle, except when used as a warning of danger or as specifically permitted or required by law.
Generator Noise
Everett's noise ordinance exempts emergency standby and backup equipment, including backup generators, from all noise limits at all times, so long as the noise is tied to genuine emergency work or utility repair.
Everett Exempts Emergency Backup Generators
Few RestrictionsEverett Municipal Code § 20.08.100(A)(7)
The following noises are exempt at all times from this chapter: ... 7. Noise created by emergency equipment, including, but not limited to, emergency standby or backup equipment, and emergency work necessary in the interests of law enforcement or of the health, safety or welfare of the community; and including, but not limited to, any emergency work necessary to replace or repair essential util...
Delivery Truck Noise
Everett bars truck loading areas from required building setbacks and requires noise mitigation, barriers, berms, walls, or limited hours, wherever a loading berth sits within 100 feet of residential zoning.
Everett Truck Loading Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsEverett Municipal Code § 19.34.150(E)
Truck loading areas shall not be located within required building setbacks. Where loading berths are located within one hundred feet of areas zoned for residential use, the applicant shall provide measures necessary to reduce noise and visual impacts from the commercial area. Noise mitigation measures may include architectural or structural barriers, berms, walls or a restriction on the hours o...
Low-Frequency Bass Limits
Everett's noise code defines 'plainly audible' to explicitly include detection of rhythmic bass alone: officers don't need to identify a song's lyrics or title, just hear the bass, to enforce nuisance and disturbance noise violations under Everett Municipal Code § 20.08.020.
Everett Rhythmic Bass Noise Standard
Some RestrictionsEverett Municipal Code § 20.08.020
'Plainly audible' means any sound for which any of the content of that sound, such as, but not limited to, comprehensible musical rhythms, is communicated to a person using their unaided hearing faculties. For the purposes of enforcement of this code, the detection of any component of sound, including, but not limited to, the rhythmic bass by a person using their unaided hearing faculties is su...
Looking for Snohomish County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Everett city rules.
Noise from Specific Sources in Snohomish County →