Industrial Noise: Kent vs Seattle
How do industrial noise rules compare between Kent, WA and Seattle, WA?
Kent and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
Kent, WA
King County
Kent industrial sources are capped at 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night at another industrial property, but only 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night when received at a residential property. KCC 8.05 and WAC 173-60 apply.
View full Kent rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Industrial noise in unincorporated King County follows WAC 173-60 EDNA classes adopted via KCC 12.86. Class C industrial to Class A residential limits are 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night at the boundary.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kent | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial to Residential Day | 60 dBA | - |
| Industrial to Residential Night | 50 dBA | - |
| Industrial to Industrial | 70 dBA | - |
| Code | KCC 8.05 / WAC 173-60 | KCC 12.86, WAC 173-60-040 |
| C to A Day | - | 60 dBA max |
| C to A Night | - | 50 dBA max |
| B to A Day | - | 57 dBA max |
| Measurement | - | Receiving property line |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Kent FAQ
How loud can Kent warehouses operate at night?
Industrial noise received at a residential property is capped at 50 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM under WAC 173-60, regardless of the source being in an industrial zone.
Who enforces Kent Valley industrial noise?
Kent Code Enforcement and Kent Police enforce KCC 8.05. Multi-jurisdiction issues can involve the Department of Ecology.
Seattle FAQ
Where is industrial zoning located in King County?
Major industrial districts include the Duwamish corridor, Kent Valley, Tukwila, and SeaTac airport-area industrial zones. Check King County iMap for zoning classifications.
How do I file an industrial noise complaint?
Contact King County Code Enforcement at 206-296-6680 or use eCitations online. For air quality plus noise, contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA).
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