Decibel Limits: Auburn vs Seattle
How do decibel limits rules compare between Auburn, WA and Seattle, WA?
Auburn and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
Auburn, WA
King County
Auburn applies WAC 173-60 EDNA limits through ACC 8.28. Residential: 55 dBA day, 45 dBA night. Industrial receiving: 60 dBA day, 50 dBA night. Measured at the receiving property line.
View full Auburn rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Unincorporated King County adopts WAC 173-60 decibel limits: 55 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime for Class A residential receiving property. Higher limits apply in commercial and industrial receiving zones.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Auburn | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Day | 55 dBA | - |
| Residential Night | 45 dBA | - |
| Industrial Day | 60 dBA | - |
| Framework | WAC 173-60 EDNA | - |
| Class A Day | - | 55 dBA (7 AM-10 PM) |
| Class A Night | - | 45 dBA (10 PM-7 AM) |
| Class B Day | - | 60 dBA commercial |
| Class C | - | 70 dBA industrial |
| Measurement | - | Receiving property line |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Auburn FAQ
Where is the decibel limit measured in Auburn?
At the property line of the receiving property, not at the source. If the sound crosses into a residential zone it is judged by the receiver's limits under WAC 173-60.
What is the maximum decibel level at night in Auburn?
45 dBA at a residential receiver from 10 PM to 7 AM on weekdays under WAC 173-60, as adopted by ACC 8.28.
Seattle FAQ
How loud is 55 dBA?
Roughly the sound of a typical conversation at 10 feet, or a quiet refrigerator. Normal speech is about 60 dBA, and highway traffic at 50 feet is about 70 dBA.
Can I get a King County deputy to measure decibels?
Rarely on a first complaint. Deputies typically use the plainly audible standard. Formal dBA measurements are done by Code Enforcement on repeat or commercial cases.
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