Noise from Specific Sources in Skagit County, WA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Skagit County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Car Alarm Limits
Unincorporated Skagit County restricts horns and sirens attached to motor vehicles, including car alarms, under SCC 9.50.040(2)(a). Sounding one between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is a public disturbance noise violation unless it warns of danger or is otherwise required by law. The Sheriff's Office enforces the rule with escalating penalties for repeat offenders.
Vehicle Horn and Siren Noise Rules, Skagit County
Some RestrictionsSkagit County Code § 9.50.040(2)(a)
(a) Horns or sirens attached to a motor vehicle between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. except when used as a warning of danger or as specifically permitted or required by law.
Generator Noise
Unincorporated Skagit County exempts portable generators from its public disturbance noise rules only while the primary electrical supplier has no service available because of a natural disaster or power outage, under SCC 9.50.040(3)(n). Outside an outage, generator sound remains subject to the county's general nuisance and WAC decibel standards.
Portable Generator Noise Exemption, Skagit County
Light RestrictionsSkagit County Code § 9.50.040(3)(n)
(3) The provisions of Subsection (2) of this Section shall not apply to sounds related to: ... (n) Portable generators during periods when there is no electrical service available from the primary supplier due to natural disaster or power outage.
Delivery Truck Noise
Unincorporated Skagit County limits idling refrigeration noise from delivery and commercial trucks under SCC 9.50.040(2)(g). A parked commercial vehicle's refrigeration unit, or its engine running to power one, cannot be audible more than 150 feet onto residential property once the vehicle has sat stationary for longer than 30 minutes.
Commercial Vehicle Refrigeration Noise Rule, Skagit County
Some RestrictionsSkagit County Code § 9.50.040(2)(g)
(g) Sound from a refrigeration unit on a commercial vehicle or from a commercial vehicle’s engine when used to operate a refrigeration unit when the vehicle is stationary for longer than thirty (30) minutes and the sound is audible on residential property at a distance greater than one hundred fifty (150) feet.
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