Noise Ordinances in Richland, WA (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Richland, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
The City of Richland, Washington treats a loud unamplified human voice as a public disturbance noise under Richland Municipal Code § 9.16.045(C)(2) when it comes from a building, structure, or property between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. downtown, or 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. elsewhere, and carries more than 50 feet.
Richland's Nighttime Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.16.045(C)(2)
Any sound made by the unamplified human voice that emanates from a building, structure or property between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in the central business district (CBD) and 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in all other use districts so as to be audible greater than 50 feet from the building, structure or property.
Construction Hours
In the City of Richland, Washington, construction noise audible more than 50 feet from a residential district is a public disturbance noise violation between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under Richland Municipal Code § 9.16.045(C)(9). The restriction applies citywide, every night of the week, and covers excavation, demolition, repair, and alteration work as well as new construction.
Richland Construction Noise Curfew, 9 P.M.-7 A.M.
Some RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.16.045(C)(9)
No person, whether or not that person is in actual possession of the noise source, shall create, continue, or cause to be created or continued any public disturbance noise. "Public disturbance noise" is a public nuisance and means any noise which: ... Public disturbance noises for the purposes of this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following specified sounds: ... ... 9....
Barking Dogs
In the City of Richland, Washington, RMC § 7.03.340 makes it unlawful to let an animal cause prolonged or habitual howling, yelping or barking that unreasonably disturbs others' peace, comfort or repose. Noise audible continuously inside an enclosed structure off the owner's property for more than five minutes is treated as a violation.
Richland Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 7.03.340
§ 7.03.340. Animals disturbing the peace. It is unlawful for any person owning or harboring an animal to allow or permit such animal to cause prolonged or continuous noise by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking or otherwise noisy conduct, which shall unreasonably interfere, annoy, injure or endanger safety, health, comfort or repose of others. An animal is harbored in violation of th...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
The City of Richland, Washington treats amplified music and sound-amplifier noise as a public disturbance under Richland Municipal Code § 9.16.045(C)(1) once it emanates from a building, structure, or property between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in the central business district, or 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. everywhere else, and is audible more than 50 feet away.
Richland Sets Nighttime Amplified Sound Limits
Some RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.16.045(C)(1)
Public disturbance noises for the purposes of this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following specified sounds: 1. Any sound made by the use of a musical instrument or other device capable of producing sound when struck by an object, a whistle, or a sound amplifier or other device capable of producing, amplifying or reproducing sound which emanates from a building, struct...
Aircraft Noise
In the City of Richland, Washington, sounds from aircraft in flight and airport flight operations are exempt from the noise ordinance at all times under Richland Municipal Code § 9.16.055(A). The city cannot cite a pilot, airline, or the Richland Airport for exceeding the general public disturbance noise limits in Chapter 9.16 no matter the hour.
Richland Exempts Aircraft Noise From Ordinance
Few RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.16.055(A)
The following shall be exempt from the requirements of RMC § 9.16.045 at all times: ... A. Sounds originating from aircraft in flight and sounds that originate at airports which are directly related to flight operations.
Decibel Limits
In the City of Richland, Washington, RMC § 9.16.045 limits noise by time and district rather than by a decibel meter: amplified sound, voices and power tools cannot be audible more than 50 feet from a residential district between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. inside the central business district.
Richland, WA Noise Limits by Zone and Time
Some RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.16.045
No person, whether or not that person is in actual possession of the noise source, shall create, continue, or cause to be created or continued any public disturbance noise. ... ... 1. Any sound made by the use of a musical instrument or other device capable of producing sound when struck by an object, a whistle, or a sound amplifier or other device capable of producing, amplifying or reproducin...
Vehicle Noise
In the City of Richland, Washington, using engine brakes, exhaust brakes, or jake brakes anywhere within city limits is outright prohibited under Richland Municipal Code § 11.06.010, a $100 traffic infraction per violation. Unmuffled exhausts, non-standard motorcycle mufflers, and loud or repeated vehicle horn honking are separately banned as public disturbance noise under § 9.16.045.
Richland Engine Brake and Muffler Noise Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.16.045(4)-(6); § 11.06.010
4. Any sound made by the discharge of gases from an internal combustion engine except through an unmodified muffler. 5. Any sound made by the operation of any motorcycle, motorbike, or off-road or all-terrain vehicle in the city on any property not a part of the street system of the city when such motorcycle, motorbike, or off-road or terrain vehicle does not conform to the muffler standard req...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Richland city rules.
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