Lynnwood, WA Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)

Lynnwood's code does not name generators separately, but LMC 10.12.300 catches them two ways. The general prohibition in subsection (A) makes it unlawful to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any noise disturbance, defined earlier in LMC 10.12.100 as sound that annoys, disturbs, or injures the comfort, repose, health, hearing, peace or safety of a reasonable person with normal sensitivities. Subsection (B)(2) is more specific: it bars using any vehicle, or engine, stationary or moving, or any instrument, device or thing so out of repair, so loaded, or operated in such a manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, squealing, grinding, rattling or other noise, language broad enough to cover a portable or standby generator running roughly enough to disturb neighbors.

Any generator noise also has to stay within the maximum permissible environmental noise levels of LMC 10.12.500, measured at the property boundary of the receiving property, which run from 55 dBA for a Class A (residential) source affecting a Class A receiving property up to 70 dBA between Class C industrial properties, with the nighttime residential limit reduced by a further 10 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Enforcement of residential, commercial and industrial noise sources like a generator falls to the development and business services department under LMC 10.12.700(B), while the police department handles noise-disturbance complaints generally under LMC 10.12.700(A). A conviction is a misdemeanor under LMC 10.12.800.