Mason County, WA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Mason County Code Section 9.36.100(2)
- Exempts
- In-flight aircraft sound and flight-operation airport sound
- Related exemption
- Engine testing not tied to flight, daytime only
- Local decibel cap
- None applies to flight-operation noise
- Enforcing agency
- Mason County Sheriff's Office, for non-exempt sound
Summary
Unincorporated Mason County does not regulate aircraft noise under its local decibel table. Code Section 9.36.100(2) exempts sounds originating from aircraft in flight and sounds that originate at airports which are directly related to flight operations from the Section 9.36.060 maximum permissible noise levels, leaving flight-operation noise outside county enforcement.
9.36.100 - Other exemptions. The following shall be exempt from the maximum permissible noise levels set forth in Section 9.36.060: (1)Sounds created by the normal operation of motor vehicles while upon public highways. Such motor vehicles are nevertheless subject to the provisions of Sections 9.36.130 through 9.36.150, pertaining to motor vehicle noise standards;(2)Sounds originating from aircraft in flight and sounds that originate at airports which are directly related to flight operations;
Full Breakdown
Section 9.36.100, 'Other exemptions,' lists fourteen categories of sound excused from the Section 9.36.060 EDNA decibel table, and the second item covers aviation: 'sounds originating from aircraft in flight and sounds that originate at airports which are directly related to flight operations.' A related but separate exemption in Section 9.36.080(3) covers 'sounds created by aircraft engine testing and maintenance not related to flight operations,' but only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and only where testing and maintenance are conducted at remote sites whenever possible. Together the two sections mean the county's noise ordinance does not cap in-flight aircraft sound or airport flight-operation sound at any hour, while ground-based engine testing unrelated to flight keeps a daytime-only exemption and reverts to the standard decibel limits at night. This structure reflects that aircraft in flight and airport flight operations fall under federal aviation authority, so Section 9.36.100(2) simply defers to that scheme rather than setting a local decibel cap.
Violations & Fines
Because flight-operation aircraft sound is exempt under Section 9.36.100(2), it cannot draw a civil penalty under Section 9.36.310 or a misdemeanor under Section 9.36.320 no matter how loud it registers on a sound level meter. Only non-flight-related aircraft engine testing and maintenance outside the Section 9.36.080(3) daytime window, or an aircraft sound that independently qualifies as a public disturbance noise under Section 9.36.120, remains open to enforcement by the sheriff's office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a noise complaint against a plane flying over my Mason County property?
What about a mechanic running up an engine on the ground?
Does this exemption cover a helicopter hovering low over houses?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mason County
Compare Mason County to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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