Noise Rules: Bellevue vs Seattle
How do noise rules rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Seattle, WA?
Bellevue and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
Bellevue, WA
King County
STR guests in Bellevue must comply with BCC 9.18 noise rules: 55 dBA day limit, with a 10 dBA reduction from 10 PM to 7 AM. Operators must provide a 24-hour contact per LUC 20.20.800.
View full Bellevue rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle short-term rental guests must comply with Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08 (Noise Control), which sets a 55 dBA daytime limit and a 45 dBA nighttime limit at the property line of a residential receiving zone. Quiet hours run 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekends and legal holidays. Operators are responsible under SMC 6.600 for guest conduct, and repeated verified noise complaints can support enforcement against the STR operator's regulatory license. Active disturbances are reported to the Seattle Police non-emergency line at 206-625-5011.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bellevue | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Day Limit | 55 dBA | - |
| Quiet Hours | 10 PM - 7 AM | - |
| Night Reduction | 10 dBA lower | - |
| Response Time | 60 minutes | - |
| Code | BCC 9.18; LUC 20.20.800 | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bellevue FAQ
What are the quiet hours for a Bellevue Airbnb?
Bellevue applies a 10 dBA reduction to noise limits between 10 PM and 7 AM under BCC 9.18. STR house rules must make these quiet hours clear to guests.
How quickly must an STR host respond to a noise complaint?
LUC 20.20.800 requires the designated 24-hour contact to respond to complaints within 60 minutes. Failure to respond can lead to registration action.
Seattle FAQ
What are Seattle's quiet hours for STR guests?
Quiet hours under SMC 25.08 are 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekends and legal holidays, when the residential noise limit drops to 45 dBA at the property line.
Does SMC 6.600 set its own STR noise standard?
No. STR guests must follow the same Chapter 25.08 limits as any other resident, but persistent verified complaints can support FAS enforcement against the operator's regulatory license.
Who do neighbors call about STR noise in Seattle?
Active disturbances are reported to Seattle Police non-emergency at 206-625-5011. Repeat nuisance patterns can also be reported to SDCI Code Compliance at 206-615-0808 and to FAS for STR license review.
Can my STR license be revoked over noise complaints?
Yes. Under SMC 6.600, repeated verified violations can result in $500 to $1,000 penalties and suspension or revocation of the STR operator license, on top of any Chapter 25.08 noise citation issued to the guest.
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