Cowlitz County, WA Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Distance threshold
- 75 feet or more outdoors
- Governing section
- CCC § 10.25.040(A)(7)
- Applies
- Day and night, any hour
- Covers
- Band sessions, car audio, amplifiers
- First offense fine
- $75.00 civil infraction
Summary
In unincorporated Cowlitz County, CCC § 10.25.040(A)(7) makes it a public noise disturbance, at any hour, to create music or bass 'heard as comprehensible music rhythms or felt' inside another residence, or 75 feet or more outdoors in a commercial or rural, residential area, covering band sessions and car audio systems.
The creation, by use of a musical instrument, sound amplifier or other device capable of producing or reproducing sound, of sounds heard as comprehensible music rhythms or felt: a. Within a residence not originating the noise; or b. Outdoors in commercial or in rural, residential areas at a distance of 75 feet or more from the noise source. Such sounds include band sessions, automobile sound systems, and electronic sound reproduction equipment whether the source of the sound is stationary, portable, or in a motor vehicle.
Full Breakdown
040(A)(7) squarely covers felt low-frequency sound: it bans, at any hour of the day or night, using 'a musical instrument, sound amplifier or other device capable of producing or reproducing sound' to create sounds 'heard as comprehensible music rhythms or felt' either inside a residence that is not the source of the noise, or outdoors in a commercial or rural, residential area at a distance of 75 feet or more from the source. The section expressly names 'band sessions, automobile sound systems, and electronic sound reproduction equipment' as covered sources, whether stationary, portable, or mounted in a vehicle, reaching car audio bass felt on neighboring property.
m. 020(C) record that the Board of County Commissioners adopted this standard, and logged complaints through the Sheriff's Department, because state Department of Ecology noise limits were found inadequate for the county's rural character. 040(C).
Violations & Fines
A first violation of CCC § 10.25.040(A)(7) is a $75.00 civil infraction under Chapter 7.80 RCW, $150.00 for a second, and $300.00 for a third or later violation (§ 10.25.070(B)). A $25.00 penalty applies for not responding to the infraction notice (§ 10.25.070(C)), and the Prosecuting Attorney may instead charge repeat conduct as a misdemeanor under § 10.25.080.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cowlitz County regulate felt bass or low-frequency music noise?
Does the felt-bass rule apply only at night?
Are car audio systems covered by this rule?
What is the penalty for a felt-bass or music-rhythm violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cowlitz County
Compare Cowlitz County to another location·View the Washington noise from specific sources overview
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