Decibel Limits: Kent vs Seattle
How do decibel limits rules compare between Kent, WA and Seattle, WA?
Kent and Seattle 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 →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 | Kent | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Day | 55 dBA | - |
| Residential Night | 45 dBA | - |
| Meter Standard | WAC 173-58 | - |
| Code | KCC 8.05 / WAC 173-60 | - |
| 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.
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.
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.
Compare other topics
See how Kent and Seattle 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