Decibel Limits: Federal Way vs Seattle
How do decibel limits rules compare between Federal Way, WA and Seattle, WA?
Federal Way and Seattle 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 →Seattle, WA
King County
Unincorporated King County adopts WAC 173-60 decibel limits: 55 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime for Class A residential receiving property. Higher limits apply in commercial and industrial receiving zones.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Federal Way | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Day/Night | 55 / 45 dBA | - |
| Commercial Day/Night | 60 / 55 dBA | - |
| Industrial Day/Night | 70 / 65 dBA | - |
| Measurement Point | Receiving property line | - |
| Class A Day | - | 55 dBA (7 AM-10 PM) |
| Class A Night | - | 45 dBA (10 PM-7 AM) |
| Class B Day | - | 60 dBA commercial |
| Class C | - | 70 dBA industrial |
| Measurement | - | Receiving property line |
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.
Seattle FAQ
How loud is 55 dBA?
Roughly the sound of a typical conversation at 10 feet, or a quiet refrigerator. Normal speech is about 60 dBA, and highway traffic at 50 feet is about 70 dBA.
Can I get a King County deputy to measure decibels?
Rarely on a first complaint. Deputies typically use the plainly audible standard. Formal dBA measurements are done by Code Enforcement on repeat or commercial cases.
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