Decibel Limits: Federal Way vs Redmond
How do decibel limits rules compare between Federal Way, WA and Redmond, WA?
Federal Way and Redmond 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 →Redmond, WA
King County
Redmond decibel limits follow WAC 173-60 EDNA tiers: 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night for residential, 60 and 55 for commercial, 70 all hours for industrial. Enforced under RMC 6.32.
View full Redmond rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Federal Way | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Industrial All Hours | - | 70 dBA to industrial |
| Meter | - | ANSI Type 1 or 2 |
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.
Redmond FAQ
What decibel level is too loud in Redmond?
Any sustained sound above 55 dBA at a residential property line during the day or 45 dBA at night is a violation of RMC 6.32 and WAC 173-60.
Does Redmond allow brief loud noise?
Yes. WAC 173-60 allows 5 dB exceedances for 15 minutes, 10 dB for 5 minutes, and 15 dB for 1.5 minutes per hour.
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