Noise Ordinances in Seattle, WA (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Seattle, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, and 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends and legal holidays, SMC 25.08.420 cuts Seattle's exterior sound level limits by 10 dB(A) for any noise reaching a residential district: a mandatory quiet-hours reduction layered on top of the Table A limits in SMC 25.08.410.
Seattle Nighttime Quiet Hours Noise Reduction
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 25.08.420
A.Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. during weekdays, and between the hours of 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. on weekends and legal holidays, the exterior sound level limits established by Section 25.08.410 are reduced by 10 dB(A) where the receiving property lies within a residential district of the City.B.For any source of sound that has a pure tone component, the exterior sound level limits establi...
Construction Hours
Seattle SMC 25.08 limits construction equipment to 80 dBA measured at the receiving property line, with maximum-noise exemptions during permitted weekday daytime hours. Impact equipment like jackhammers requires noise-reduction measures.
Construction Noise Capped at 80 dBA at the Property Line
Some RestrictionsSeattle Noise Ordinance — Construction and Maintenance Hours (SDCI Noise Code)
Construction and Maintenance Hours — In general, you can do construction work: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., weekdays; 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., weekends and legal holidays. If your construction and maintenance activities are within multifamily and neighborhood commercial zones (Lowrise, Midrise, Highrise, Residential Commercial and Neighborhood Commercial) you can work: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., weekdays...
Barking Dogs
SMC 25.08.500.A makes loud, frequent, repetitive, or continuous animal noise an unlawful 'public disturbance noise' in Seattle once a police officer or animal control officer orders it stopped. Owners of a repeat-violator animal, or one whose owner can't be located, face impoundment under SMC Chapter 9.25, and conduct under this section is a crime under SMC 25.08.800.B.
Seattle Barking Dog Public Disturbance Rule
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 25.08.500.A
It is unlawful for any person knowingly to cause or make, or for any person in possession of property knowingly to allow or originate from the property, unreasonable noise which disturbs another, and to refuse or intentionally fail to cease the unreasonable noise when ordered to do so by a police officer or, in the case of noise described in subsection 25.08.500.A, when ordered to do so by any ...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Outdoor concerts and amplified performances on Seattle public property are capped at a 95 dB(A) one-minute average measured 50 feet from the source. SDCI, Parks, SDOT or Seattle Center can shut a show down once it hits 105 dB(A) for five minutes in any 30-minute window, under SMC 25.08.520.
Seattle Outdoor Amplified Music Decibel Limit
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 25.08.520
A. It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in charge of a group of persons to allow sound from an officially sanctioned musical event to originate in a public park, public place, as defined in the Street Use Ordinance No. 90047, public market or civic center which exceeds an Leq of ninety-five (95) dB(A) for one (1) minute as measured fifty feet (50') (approximately fifteen (1...
Decibel Limits
Seattle sets numeric exterior noise limits by zoning district under SMC 25.08.410 Table A, ranging from 55 dB(A) between residential properties up to 70 dB(A) for industrial-to-industrial noise, measured as a one-minute or one-hour Leq. Brief peaks (Lmax) may run up to 15 dB(A) above the table's limit before counting as a violation.
Seattle Exterior Sound Level Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 25.08.410
A.The exterior sound level limits are based on the Leq during the measurement interval, using a minimum measurement interval of one minute for a constant sound source, or a one-hour measurement for a non-continuous sound source. For sound sources located within the City, the exterior sound level limits are as shown in Table A for 25.08.410: Table A for 25.08.410, Exterior sound level limits. Di...
Vehicle Noise
Seattle requires every motor vehicle to run a working muffler that prevents excessive or unusual noise, and bars cut-out or bypass devices entirely. Heavy trucks using engine ("Jake") compression brakes must keep exhaust noise at 83 dBA or less (80 dBA for post-1988 vehicles) or face escalating fines.
Seattle Muffler and Engine Brake Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 11.84.070 and § 11.84.080
11.84.070 - Compression brakes. A.1. This subsection applies to all motor vehicles with a declared gross weight in excess of 10,000 pounds operated on a street or alley and equipped with engine compression brake devices... 2. The driver...shall not use the device unless: a. The motor vehicle is equipped with an operational muffler and exhaust system to prevent excess noise. The muffler and exha...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Seattle city rules.
Noise Ordinances in King County →