Decibel Limits: Kent vs Kirkland
How do decibel limits rules compare between Kent, WA and Kirkland, WA?
Kent and Kirkland have similar restriction levels.
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 →Kirkland, WA
King County
Kirkland applies WAC 173-60 decibel limits: 55 dBA residential, 57 dBA commercial, 60 dBA industrial at a residential property, with a 10 dBA night reduction. KMC 11.84A adds a behavior-based standard.
View full Kirkland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kent | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Day | 55 dBA | 55 dBA |
| Residential Night | 45 dBA | 45 dBA |
| Meter Standard | WAC 173-58 | - |
| Code | KCC 8.05 / WAC 173-60 | WAC 173-60 and KMC 11.84A |
| Industrial Day | - | 60 dBA at residence |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Kirkland FAQ
What is the decibel limit in Kirkland?
55 dBA residential daytime received at a neighbor residential property, reduced to 45 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays under WAC 173-60 adopted via KMC 11.84A.
Does Kirkland Police carry decibel meters?
Usually not. Officers rely on the behavior-based public disturbance standard in KMC 11.84A. Decibel measurement is reserved for complex industrial or commercial cases.
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