Decibel Limits: Federal Way vs Renton
How do decibel limits rules compare between Federal Way, WA and Renton, WA?
Federal Way and Renton 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 →Renton, WA
King County
Renton adopts WAC 173-60 decibel limits via RMC 8-7: residential 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night, commercial 57/52 dBA, industrial 60 dBA, measured at the receiving property line.
View full Renton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Federal Way | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Day/Night | 55 / 45 dBA | - |
| Commercial Day/Night | 60 / 55 dBA | 57 / 52 dBA |
| Industrial Day/Night | 70 / 65 dBA | - |
| Measurement Point | Receiving property line | Receiving property line |
| Residential Day | - | 55 dBA |
| Residential Night | - | 45 dBA |
| Industrial | - | 60 dBA |
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.
Renton FAQ
What is a Type 2 sound level meter?
A Type 2 meter meets the ANSI S1.4 accuracy class used by code enforcement and is accepted for regulatory measurements under WAC 173-60.
Do these limits apply inside my house?
Limits are measured at the exterior property line of the receiving property, not inside dwellings. Indoor audibility is used only for the nighttime plainly audible standard.
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