5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Whatcom County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Washington sets no universal statewide quiet hours, but WAC 173-60 lowers allowable residential noise by 10 dBA overnight (to 45 dBA, 10 PM to 7 AM). Whatcom County and Bellingham enforce these limits on complaint.
WAC 173-60-040
Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the noise limitations of the foregoing table shall be reduced by 10 dBA for receiving property within Class A EDNAs.
Bellingham bars loud construction in residential zones between 10 PM and 7 AM under its public disturbance code. Unincorporated Whatcom County relies on WAC 173-60 limits and complaint-based nuisance enforcement.
Bellingham Municipal Code 10.24.120
Construction and industrial noises, including motorized construction and equipment operation, hammering, blasting, drilling and sawing in residentially zoned areas, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., which unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of others
Persistent barking is treated as a noise nuisance. The Whatcom Humane Society handles animal control for the county and Bellingham; documented, repeated complaints trigger enforcement.
Whatcom County and Bellingham don't ban leaf blowers or gas equipment. They're regulated only through general noise limits, so off-hours use near homes can still draw a disturbance complaint.
Bellingham treats audio audible beyond 50 feet as a public disturbance, a common issue near Western Washington University. County events must meet WAC 173-60 limits; large gatherings may carry permit conditions.
Bellingham Municipal Code 10.24.120
Sound from portable audio equipment, such as tape players, radios, and compact disc players, operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than 50 feet from the source and outside the property of the operator.
1 cities in Whatcom County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Whatcom County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Whatcom County Ordinance Hub →