Decibel Limits: Kirkland vs Renton
How do decibel limits rules compare between Kirkland, WA and Renton, WA?
Kirkland and Renton have similar restriction levels.
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 →Renton, WA
King County
Renton adopts WAC 173-60 decibel limits via RMC 8-7: residential 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night, commercial 57/52 dBA, industrial 60 dBA, measured at the receiving property line.
View full Renton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kirkland | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Day | 55 dBA | 55 dBA |
| Residential Night | 45 dBA | 45 dBA |
| Industrial Day | 60 dBA at residence | - |
| Code | WAC 173-60 and KMC 11.84A | - |
| Commercial Day/Night | - | 57 / 52 dBA |
| Industrial | - | 60 dBA |
| Measurement Point | - | Receiving property line |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Renton FAQ
What is a Type 2 sound level meter?
A Type 2 meter meets the ANSI S1.4 accuracy class used by code enforcement and is accepted for regulatory measurements under WAC 173-60.
Do these limits apply inside my house?
Limits are measured at the exterior property line of the receiving property, not inside dwellings. Indoor audibility is used only for the nighttime plainly audible standard.
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