Noise Ordinances in Cowlitz County, WA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Cowlitz County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Cowlitz County's noise code defines daytime as 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, meaning any other hour counts as night. In unincorporated Cowlitz County, CCC § 10.25.040(B) adds separate nighttime-only violations in rural, residential areas covering power tools, construction, idling trucks over 10,000 pounds, bells, and amplified music.
Cowlitz County Nighttime Noise Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCowlitz County Code §§ 10.25.030, 10.25.040(B)
"Day" or "daytime," for the purposes of this chapter, means the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekends. ... Public Noise Disturbances, at Night in Rural, Residential Areas. Sounds resulting from the following activities are determined to be public noise disturbances when they occur at night and noise is received on property in any rur...
Construction Hours
In unincorporated Cowlitz County, construction sounds are exempt from the noise ordinance only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Outside that window, or when noise reaches a rural residential area at night, construction activity (including blasting) counts as a public noise disturbance under CCC § 10.25.040(B)(3) unless a disturbance exemption permit issued under CCC § 10.25.050 covers the work.
Cowlitz County Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsCowlitz County Code §§ 10.25.040(B)(3), 10.25.050(A)(11)
Public Noise Disturbances, at Night in Rural, Residential Areas. Sounds resulting from the following activities are determined to be public noise disturbances when they occur at night and noise is received on property in any rural, residential area. ... Construction activity, including blasting, unless a public disturbance exemption permit pursuant to CCC § 10.25.050 is obtained. ... Sounds cre...
Barking Dogs
In unincorporated Cowlitz County, an animal that habitually barks, howls or yelps for 30 minutes or more between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., loud enough to be heard inside a neighbor's residence, is a public nuisance under CCC § 6.12.040. The Sheriff's Animal Control Authority can cite the owner, with escalating civil penalties starting at $48.00.
Cowlitz County Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsCowlitz County Code § 6.12.040(A)(1)
Habitually bark, howl, yelp, or make any other noise which disturbs the peace and comfort of persons in the rural or residential areas of Cowlitz County. In addition to the definitions set forth in CCC § 10.25.030 through § 10.25.045, and the ordinary meaning, an animal is habitually making noise which disturbs the peace and comfort of any person to an unreasonable degree when that animal makes...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
In unincorporated Cowlitz County, CCC § 10.25.040(A)(6) bars sound amplifiers on public streets for commercial advertising or to attract attention to a vehicle, and § 10.25.040(B)(6) separately makes loud, raucous music from an instrument, voice or amplifier a nighttime public noise disturbance in rural, residential areas.
Cowlitz County Amplified Sound Rules
Some RestrictionsCowlitz County Code § 10.25.040(A)(6), (B)(6)
The use of a sound amplifier on public streets for commercial advertising or for the purpose of attracting attention to the vehicle, except as permitted by law; provided, that ice cream vendors whose sole method of sale is from a moving vehicle shall be exempted. ... The creation by use of a musical instrument, ... whistle, human voice, sound amplifier, or other device capable of producing or r...
Aircraft Noise
Cowlitz County's noise code does not restrict aircraft: CCC § 10.25.050(A)(1) exempts 'sounds that originate from aircraft in flight, and sounds that originate at airports and are directly related to flight operations,' so long as the operation complies with all applicable regulations.
Cowlitz County Aircraft Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsCowlitz County Code § 10.25.050(A)(1)
The following sounds are exempt from the provisions of this chapter: ... Sounds that originate from aircraft in flight, and sounds that originate at airports and are directly related to flight operations; provided, that such operations are in compliance with all applicable regulations;
Vehicle Noise
Unincorporated Cowlitz County requires every motor vehicle to run a working muffler at all times and bans cutout or bypass devices under CCC § 11.04.290. A separate ordinance, CCC Chapter 11.05, bans unmuffled engine compression brakes on seven named county roads where the Board has posted warning signs, treating the noise as a public nuisance.
Cowlitz County Vehicle Muffler and Engine Brake Rules
Some RestrictionsCowlitz County Code §§ 11.04.290, 11.05.010, 11.05.040, 11.05.060
Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass or similar device on a motor vehicle upon a highway. ... the use of unmuffled compression brakes in some areas within the corporate limits of Cowlitz County disturbs the peace and quiet and dist...
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