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King County, WA Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Citation
K.C.C. § 12.86.410.A.1
First-offense fine
up to $125
Warning-device exemption
15 minutes per incident
Enforcement
King County Sheriff's Office
Applies to
unincorporated King County only

Summary

Unincorporated King County treats a frequent, repetitive or continuous horn or siren on a motor vehicle, including a car alarm, as unlawful public disturbance noise unless it's warning of actual danger.

City-specific rules exist: Auburn, and Federal Way have their own car alarm limits rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

The frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren attached to a motor vehicle, except as a warning of danger or as specifically permitted or required by law;

2. Frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds in connection with the starting, operation, repair, rebuilding or testing of any motor vehicle, motorcycle, offhighway vehicle, watercraft or internalcombustion engine;

3. The use of a sound amplifier or other device capable of producing or reproducing amplified sound upon public streets for the purpose of commercial advertising or sales or for attracting the attention of the public to any vehicle, structure, or property or the contents therein, except as permitted by law, and except that vendors whose sole method of selling is from a moving vehicle shall be exempt from this subsection;

4. Loud and raucous sound generated within one thousand feet of any school, hospital, nursing home or convalescent facility;

5. Loud and raucous sound that emanates frequently, repetitively or continuously from any building, structure or property, including watercraft, located within a rural or residential district or on an adjoining body of water, such as sounds originating from a band session or social gathering;

Full Breakdown

King County Code § 12.86.410.A.1 makes it unlawful to cause a "public disturbance noise," a category that expressly includes the frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren attached to a motor vehicle, unless it's warning of actual danger or specifically permitted by law. A car alarm that keeps re-triggering fits squarely. Separately, § 12.86.500.G exempts warning devices, including a car alarm, that sound no more than fifteen minutes per incident. The chapter covers only unincorporated King County; Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way and the county's other 20-plus cities enforce their own noise codes.

Violations & Fines

First violation is a civil infraction fined up to $125; a second within twelve months up to $250; each later violation doubles the prior fine, enforced by the sheriff or director under K.C.C. 12.86.700.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this rule apply inside Seattle?
No. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton and other King County cities have their own noise codes; K.C.C. chapter 12.86 governs only unincorporated areas of the county.
How long can a car alarm sound before it's a violation?
Under § 12.86.500.G a warning device, including a car alarm, is exempt if it sounds no more than fifteen minutes per incident; beyond that it can be cited as public disturbance noise.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

All King County rules

Compare King County to another location·View the Washington noise from specific sources overview

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Car Alarm Limits in Cities Across King County