Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
πŸ”Š Noise Ordinances/Decibel Limits

Decibel Limits: Bellevue vs Kent

How do decibel limits rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Kent, WA?

Bellevue and Kent have similar restriction levels.

Bellevue, WA

King County

Some Restrictions

Bellevue adopts WAC 173-60 EDNA decibel limits: 55/45 dBA day/night residential, 60/55 commercial, 70/70 industrial, measured at the receiving property line under BCC 9.18.030.

View full Bellevue rules β†’

Kent, WA

King County

Some Restrictions

Kent decibel limits follow WAC 173-60 and KCC 8.05 using EDNA zones. Residential receiving limit is 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night. Commercial sources are capped at 57 or 47 dBA into residential zones.

View full Kent rules β†’

Key Facts Comparison

FactBellevueKent
Residential Day55 dBA55 dBA
Residential Night45 dBA45 dBA
Commercial Day/Night60 / 55 dBA-
Industrial70 dBA both-
Meter Standard-WAC 173-58
Code-KCC 8.05 / WAC 173-60

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Bellevue FAQ

What is the Bellevue nighttime decibel limit?

45 dBA in residential zones between 10 PM and 7 AM, measured at the property line.

Who measures decibels in Bellevue?

Code Compliance officers can use sound level meters during investigations. Residents are not required to produce dBA readings to file a complaint.

Kent FAQ

What decibel levels are allowed at a Kent home?

55 dBA from 7 AM to 10 PM and 45 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM for residential-to-residential sound, measured at the receiving property line.

How are Kent noise measurements taken?

With a Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meter on A-weighting, slow response, at the receiving property line, following WAC 173-58 procedures.

Want to add a third city?

Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.

Open Comparison Tool