Spokane Valley, WA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

SVMC § 7.05.040(K)(1) makes it a nuisance for noise from a residential zone to intrude on a neighbor's property beyond "the maximum permissible noise levels pursuant to Chapter 173-60 WAC," covering things like radios, sound amplifiers, and engine testing. Subsection (K)(2) then lists sounds that are exempt from that standard entirely, and item (c) names "sounds originating from aircraft in flight and sounds that originate at airports which are directly related to flight operations." That blanket exemption has no time-of-day limit. A narrower, time-boxed exemption sits in (K)(3): sounds from "aircraft engine testing and maintenance not related to flight operations" are exempt only "between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.," and the code adds that such testing and maintenance "shall be conducted at remote sites whenever possible." Outside that window, or away from a remote site, ground-based engine testing loses its exemption and can be cited as a noise nuisance like any other. Enforcement runs through Chapter 17.100 SVMC's notice-and-order process, with civil penalties assessed under § 17.100.250 for any noise nuisance that isn't otherwise exempted.