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Noise Ordinances in Federal Way, WA (2026)

5 verified noise ordinances for Federal Way, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Quiet Hours

FWRC 7.10.020(3) bars yelling, shouting, whistling, or singing on or near public streets between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., or at any time it unreasonably disturbs a neighbor's peace and comfort. It is one of nine specific public disturbance noises the city enforces as a civil infraction.

Federal Way Nighttime Quiet Hours Rule

Some Restrictions

FWRC 7.10.020(3)

It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from that property, sound that is a public disturbance noise.... (3) Yelling, shouting, whistling or singing on or near the public streets, particularly between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or at any time and place as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace and comfort ...

Construction Hours

FWRC 7.10.020(8) bars construction noise, including equipment, power tools, and hammering, between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends. Work is allowed outside those hours, and violations are civil infractions.

Federal Way Permitted Construction Noise Hours

Some Restrictions

FWRC 7.10.020(8)

(8) Sounds originating from construction sites, including but not limited to sounds from construction equipment, power tools and hammering between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Federal Way bars using a radio, loudspeaker, musical instrument, or any device that reproduces sound audible more than 50 feet away in any city park unless the parks director issues a permit under FWRC 4.05.390. Citywide noise limits outside parks run separately under FWRC Chapter 7.10's decibel-based rules.

Federal Way Park Sound Amplification Rules

Some Restrictions

FWRC 4.05.390

It is unlawful for any person to use, operate, or play or permit to be used, operated or played in any park, any radio, tape player, television, musical instrument, record player, loudspeaker, or any other machine or device producing or reproducing sound at a volume that is audible at a distance of over 50 feet therefrom, except pursuant to a permit issued by the director.

Decibel Limits

FWRC 7.10.050 adopts the state's maximum environmental noise levels under the Noise Control Act, Chapter 70.107 RCW and Chapter 173-60 WAC, as Federal Way's numeric noise standard, plus watercraft noise limits under Chapter 173-70 WAC. The city can also require a compliance bond under Chapter 19.25 FWRC.

Federal Way Maximum Environmental Noise Levels

Some Restrictions

FWRC 7.10.050

(1) State standard adopted. The city adopts by reference the maximum environmental noise levels established pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1974, Chapter 70.107 RCW. See Chapter 173-60 WAC. (2) Watercraft noise performance standards. The city adopts by reference the watercraft noise performance standards established pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1974, Chapter 70.107 RCW. See Chapter...

Vehicle Noise

Federal Way bans excessive vehicle noise under FWRC 7.10.020: unnecessary horn or siren blasts, revving or repairing an engine in a residential district loud enough to disturb neighbors, and car stereos audible more than 50 feet away are each a public disturbance noise. The Federal Way Police Department enforces the ordinance citywide, around the clock.

Federal Way Vehicle Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

FWRC 7.10.020(1), (2), (5)

It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from that property, sound that is a public disturbance noise. ... The following sounds are public disturbance noises in violation of this section: (1) The frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren attached to a motor vehicle, except as a warning of danger or as specif...

Looking for King County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Federal Way city rules.

Noise Ordinances in King County