Aircraft noise is exempt from Pierce County's noise code. PCC 8.76.070.D.2 exempts sounds from aircraft in flight and airport flight operations. With Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Sea-Tac flight paths overhead, jet and military aircraft noise is governed by the FAA and military, not the county.
PCC 8.76.070.D.2 exempts from the county limits 'sounds originating from aircraft in flight and sounds that originate at airports which are directly related to flight operations.' Only non-flight aircraft engine testing is regulated, and even that is exempt by day (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) under PCC 8.76.070.A.4, which directs testing to remote sites where possible. This mirrors federal law: the FAA has exclusive authority over aircraft in navigable airspace, so counties cannot set aircraft noise limits. Pierce County sits under Sea-Tac approach paths and hosts Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), whose military flight operations are governed by the Department of Defense, likewise not subject to local codes. Bothered residents should contact the operating agency, not the county.
There is no county enforcement of in-flight aircraft noise; it is preempted. The Noise Control Officer can address only ground-based, non-flight engine testing that exceeds nighttime limits. For civilian aircraft, contact the FAA; for military aircraft, contact JBLM.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
pierce-county-wa
Backyard residential composting is allowed and encouraged in Pierce County with no permit, but a compost pile that creates odor, attracts vermin, or otherwis...
pierce-county-wa
Pierce County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or permitting synthetic/artificial turf on residential lots. Installation must still meet general zon...
pierce-county-wa
Pierce County encourages native and drought-tolerant plantings and requires native-vegetation retention on many development sites, but homeowners are free to...
pierce-county-wa
Rooftop rainwater collection is broadly allowed in Washington, and Pierce County has no ordinance prohibiting residential rain barrels or cisterns; larger sy...
pierce-county-wa
Pierce County government sets no county-wide residential watering schedule; outdoor watering rules are set by your water provider — mainly Tacoma Water and l...
pierce-county-wa
Every Pierce County landowner has an enforceable duty under RCW 17.10.140 to eradicate class A noxious weeds and control listed class B and C weeds. The Pier...
See how Pierce County's aircraft noise rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.