Decibel Limits: Federal Way vs Kent
How do decibel limits rules compare between Federal Way, WA and Kent, WA?
Federal Way and Kent have similar restriction levels.
Federal Way, WA
King County
Federal Way applies the WAC 173-60 EDNA table. Residential receivers: 55 dBA day / 45 dBA night. Commercial: 60/55. Industrial: 70/65. Limits are measured at the receiving property line, not the source.
View full Federal Way rules →Kent, WA
King County
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 →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Federal Way | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Day/Night | 55 / 45 dBA | - |
| Commercial Day/Night | 60 / 55 dBA | - |
| Industrial Day/Night | 70 / 65 dBA | - |
| Measurement Point | Receiving property line | - |
| Residential Day | - | 55 dBA |
| Residential Night | - | 45 dBA |
| Meter Standard | - | WAC 173-58 |
| Code | - | KCC 8.05 / WAC 173-60 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Federal Way FAQ
Where are decibels measured in Federal Way?
At the receiving property line, not the source. The limit depends on the zoning of both the source and receiver parcels.
Are brief noise spikes allowed in Federal Way?
Yes, WAC 173-60 allows 5 dBA over for 15 minutes, 10 dBA over for 5 minutes, or 15 dBA over for 1.5 minutes in any one-hour period.
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.
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