10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Pierce County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Pierce County, the noise limits in Pierce County Code 8.76.060 are reduced by 10 dBA for residential (Class A) receiving property between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Chapter 8.72 PCC separately bans public disturbance noises at all hours. Incorporated cities (Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup) set their own quiet hours.
PCC 8.76.060.B.2
Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., the noise limitations of the foregoing table shall be reduced by 10 dBA for receiving property within Class A EDNA's.
Unincorporated Pierce County exempts temporary construction-site noise from the Chapter 8.76 decibel limits during the day, but that exemption stops for residential (Class A) areas between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Residential home-improvement projects are exempt 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cities set their own construction hours.
PCC 8.76.070.C
The following shall be exempt from Section 8.76.060, except insofar as such provisions relate to the reception of noise within Class A EDNA's between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.: 1. Sounds originating from temporary construction sites as a result of construction activity…
In unincorporated Pierce County, PCC 8.72.090.A makes it a public disturbance noise for frequent, repetitive, or continuous animal sounds to unreasonably disturb neighbors' peace and repose, at any hour. Licensed shelters and kennels are exempt. Repeat-violator animals may be impounded. Cities have their own animal-noise rules.
PCC 8.72.090.A
Frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds made by any animal which unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort, and repose of property owners or possessors…
Pierce County has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance. In unincorporated areas, gas leaf blowers fall under the general Chapter 8.76 decibel limits and the Chapter 8.72 public disturbance rule. Residential yard maintenance is exempt from decibel limits 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Washington has no statewide gas-blower ban.
In unincorporated Pierce County, PCC 8.72.090.F makes loud and raucous amplified sound - from an instrument, amplifier, band session, tavern, or social gathering - a public disturbance noise when it frequently or continuously disturbs neighbors. It applies at any hour and is enforced by the Sheriff on complaint.
PCC 8.72.090.F
Any loud and raucous sound made by use of a musical instrument, whistle, sound amplifier, or other device capable of producing or reproducing sound which emanates frequently, repetitively, or continuously from any building, structure or property, such as sound originating from a band session, tavern operation, or social gathering…
Aircraft noise is exempt from Pierce County's noise code. PCC 8.76.070.D.2 exempts sounds from aircraft in flight and airport flight operations. With Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Sea-Tac flight paths overhead, jet and military aircraft noise is governed by the FAA and military, not the county.
PCC 8.76.070.D.2
Sounds originating from aircraft in flight and sounds that originate at airports which are directly related to flight operations…
For most industrial noise, Pierce County defers to the State. PCC 8.72.120.D states that, apart from motor vehicles, industrial-area noise is regulated by the State of Washington. The Chapter 8.76 EDNA table still caps industrial (Class C) source noise at 60-70 dBA at the receiver, with exemptions for established operations.
PCC 8.72.120.D
With the exception of motor vehicle noise, noise created by industrial areas is to be regulated by the State of Washington.
In unincorporated Pierce County, PCC 8.76.060 adopts Washington's WAC 173-60 decibel table: for a residential (Class A) source and receiver the daytime limit is 55 dBA, dropping 10 dBA to roughly 45 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Limits rise for commercial and industrial property.
PCC 8.76.060.B.1
The noise limitations established are as set forth in the following table… Class A [source] … Class A 55 dBA … Class B 57 dBA … Class C 60 dBA.
In unincorporated Pierce County, outdoor amplified music, band sessions, and social-gathering noise are barred by PCC 8.72.090.F when loud, raucous, and disturbing to neighbors, at any hour. Officially sanctioned parades and public events are exempt from the decibel limits (PCC 8.76.070.D.8). Cities permit outdoor events under their own codes.
PCC 8.76.070.D.8
Sounds originating from officially sanctioned parades and other public events…
In unincorporated Pierce County, PCC 8.72.090.H makes it unlawful for a car or vessel sound system to be clearly heard 50 feet or more from the vehicle in residential or commercial areas. Frequent engine, horn, or off-road-vehicle noise is also barred (PCC 8.72.090.B-C). Vehicle-in-motion noise follows WAC 173-62.
PCC 8.72.090.H.1
Sound from a motor vehicle or vessel sound system, such as a tape player, radio, or compact disc player, which is operated at such a volume that it could be clearly heard by a person of normal hearing at a distance of 50 feet or more from the vehicle or vessel itself…
3 cities in Pierce County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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