Auburn, WA Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Distance threshold
- Audible more than 25 feet away
- Trigger
- Disturbs 2+ neighbors, different addresses
- Weekday presumption hours
- 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Sunday presumption hours
- 10 p.m.-9 a.m.
- Rebuttal
- Only unforeseen emergency circumstances
- 1st penalty
- Up to $250 civil penalty
Summary
Auburn treats ongoing engine, horn, hydraulic or air-brake sounds from delivery trucks near residential property as a public disturbance noise under ACC 8.28.010(B)(10) when they disturb two or more neighbors, especially between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays or 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Sundays. Nighttime truck noise is presumed unlawful unless caused by an emergency.
10. Continuing and/or ongoing sounds from nonemergency motor vehicles audible more than 25 feet away from the vehicle located on or in the vicinity of residential property, which sounds reasonably cause the annoyance or disturbance of two or more neighbors not residing at the same address, due to the ongoing or repetitive nature of the sounds, or the very early or very late hours of the sounds. For the purposes hereof, sounds coming from motor vehicles, including but not limited to engine sounds, horn sounds, hydraulic or air break sounds, or other equipment located on the motor vehicle or attached trailer, that are audible more than 25 feet away from the vehicle located on or in the vicinity of residential property, after 10:00 p.m. at night or before 7:00 a.m. on any day of the week except Sunday and after 10:00 p.m. at night or before 9:00 a.m. on Sundays, shall be presumed to be a public disturbance noise. Such presumption shall only be rebutted upon a showing before the adjudicatory body that the noise was caused by circumstances of an unforeseen and emergency nature.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 7023, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010(B)(10) targets the specific noise profile of trucks operating near homes. It covers 'continuing and/or ongoing sounds from nonemergency motor vehicles audible more than 25 feet away from the vehicle located on or in the vicinity of residential property,' where the sound 'reasonably cause[s] the annoyance or disturbance of two or more neighbors not residing at the same address' because of its repetitive nature or the very early or late hours it occurs. The section expressly lists 'engine sounds, horn sounds, hydraulic or air brake sounds, or other equipment located on the motor vehicle or attached trailer' as the covered noise sources, squarely reaching idling delivery trucks, backup beepers and air-brake releases.
' A delivery operator can only rebut that presumption 'upon a showing before the adjudicatory body that the noise was caused by circumstances of an unforeseen and emergency nature,' meaning a routine early-morning delivery run gets no exemption just because it happens on a set schedule.
Violations & Fines
A delivery-truck noise violation under ACC 8.28.010(B)(10) carries the same penalty ladder as the rest of Chapter 8.28: up to $250 for a first offense and up to $500 for a repeat offense within two years under ACC 8.28.020, rising to a misdemeanor under ACC 1.24.010 after three violations at the same location within 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a delivery truck be cited for noise in Auburn?
Is early-morning delivery noise automatically illegal in Auburn?
What is the fine for repeated delivery truck noise complaints?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
Compare Auburn to another location·View the Washington noise from specific sources overview
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