Industrial Noise: Federal Way vs Renton
How do industrial noise rules compare between Federal Way, WA and Renton, WA?
Renton has fewer restrictions than Federal Way.
Federal Way, WA
King County
Industrial sources in Federal Way must meet WAC 173-60: 70 dBA at industrial receivers, 65 at commercial, and 60 day / 50 night at residential. Code Compliance enforces in areas along I-5 and 348th Street.
View full Federal Way rules →Renton, WA
King County
Industrial noise in Renton including Boeing and Cedar River industry is limited to 70 dBA industrial, 60 dBA at residential day, 50 dBA at residential night per WAC 173-60 and RMC 8-7.
View full Renton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Federal Way | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial to Industrial | 70 dBA | 70 dBA |
| Industrial to Commercial | 65 dBA | 65 dBA |
| Industrial to Residential Day | 60 dBA | 60 dBA |
| Industrial to Residential Night | 50 dBA | 50 dBA |
| Short Excursions Allowed | - | +5, +10, +15 dBA tiered |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Federal Way FAQ
What industrial noise is allowed near homes in Federal Way?
Industrial sources received at residential property lines must stay under 60 dBA from 7 AM to 10 PM and 50 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM under WAC 173-60.
How do I report warehouse noise in Federal Way?
Daytime complaints go to Federal Way Code Compliance at (253) 835-7000. Nighttime complaints go to Police non-emergency at (253) 835-6701.
Renton FAQ
Can Boeing operate 24 hours a day?
Yes. Industrial operations can run continuously provided noise received at adjacent residential property stays within the day and night limits, with allowed short-duration excursions.
How are industrial noise complaints investigated?
Code Enforcement investigates complaints with decibel measurements at the receiving property, often working with the facility to identify equipment or processes contributing to the exceedance.
Compare other topics
See how Federal Way and Renton compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool