Noise Rules: Lakewood vs Tacoma
How do noise rules rules compare between Lakewood, WA and Tacoma, WA?
Lakewood and Tacoma have similar restriction levels.
Lakewood, WA
Pierce County
Lakewood short-term rental guests must comply with Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 8.36 (Noise Control), which incorporates Washington's Maximum Environmental Noise Levels (Chapter 173-60 WAC). For sound entering a residential receiving zone, daytime limits run to 55 dBA and drop 10 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (effectively 45 dBA at night). LMC 18A.40.090 also requires every STR's posted Good Neighbor Policy to address noise restrictions and quiet hours, and LMC 8.36 separately caps frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds at 75 dBA at the property line.
View full Lakewood rules →Tacoma, WA
Pierce County
STR guests in Tacoma must follow the city's noise ordinance (TMC 8.122). Quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM apply to all properties. Operators must inform guests about noise expectations and may lose their license for repeated violations.
View full Tacoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lakewood | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Quiet Hours | - | 10 PM–7 AM |
| Operator Duty | - | Post noise rules for guests |
| Enforcement | - | Police / Noise Control |
| Risk | - | License revocation for repeat issues |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lakewood FAQ
What are quiet hours for Lakewood STRs?
Lakewood does not call them quiet hours by name, but LMC 8.36 (via WAC 173-60) drops the residential noise limit by 10 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., taking the cap from 55 dBA to about 45 dBA at the receiving property. STRs must post these expectations in their Good Neighbor Policy.
Does Lakewood have an STR-specific noise standard?
No separate decibel standard is set in LMC 18A.40.090. STR guests follow the same Chapter 8.36 / WAC 173-60 limits as any other resident, but the STR ordinance adds a posted-policy and 24/7 contact requirement that does not apply to ordinary homes.
Who do I call about noise from a Lakewood STR at night?
Active disturbances should be reported to Lakewood Police via South Sound 911 non-emergency. Ongoing patterns can also be reported to Lakewood Code Enforcement and to the city's STR licensing program for review against the permit.
Tacoma FAQ
What noise rules apply to Airbnb guests in Tacoma?
The same noise ordinance applies to STR guests. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 7 AM. Fines up to $1,000 for violations.
Can Tacoma revoke my STR license for noise complaints?
Yes. Repeated noise violations from a short-term rental can trigger license revocation under Tacoma's STR regulations.
How do I report a loud Airbnb in Tacoma?
Call the police non-emergency line for active noise. For patterns of disturbance, report to the city's STR enforcement and Noise Control program.
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