Burien, WA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Burien, WA, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Audibility limit
- Audible greater than 50 feet is a violation
- Vehicle audio
- BMC § 9.105.410(2)(e), measured from the vehicle itself
- Portable audio
- BMC § 9.105.410(2)(f), only if not on the operator's property
- First offense
- Civil fine not to exceed $250.00
- Second and later offenses
- Misdemeanor
- Downtown event exclusion
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
Summary
In the City of Burien, Washington, BMC § 9.105.410 makes it unlawful to cause or allow a public disturbance noise, and subsections (2)(e) and (2)(f) name vehicle audio and portable audio equipment played at a volume audible greater than 50 feet away. A first violation is a civil fine not to exceed $250.00.
(1) General Prohibition. It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound that is a public disturbance noise. ... (e) Sound from motor vehicle audio sound systems, such as tape players, radios and compact disc players, operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than 50 feet from the vehicle itself. (f) Sound from portable audio equipment, such as tape players, radios and compact disc players, operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than 50 feet from the source, and if not operated upon the property of the operator.
Full Breakdown
BMC § 9.105.410 is Burien's public disturbance noise section, and for audio equipment it uses a distance test instead of a decibel reading. Subsection (1) makes it unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound that is a public disturbance noise.
Two items in the illustrative list in subsection (2) cover amplified music directly. Under (2)(e), sound from motor vehicle audio sound systems, such as tape players, radios and compact disc players, is a violation when operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than 50 feet from the vehicle itself. Under (2)(f), sound from portable audio equipment of the same kinds is a violation when audible greater than 50 feet from the source, and only if the equipment is not operated upon the property of the operator. Music played on your own property falls instead under (2)(d), which reaches frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds from any building, structure, apartment or condominium that unreasonably disturb the peace and comfort of owners or possessors of real property, and names musical instruments, audio sound systems and band sessions.
BMC § 9.105.420 excludes City of Burien permitted special events and parks events in the Downtown between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on Fridays and Saturdays, and regularly scheduled events at parks outside the Downtown, such as public address systems for baseball games or park concerts, between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Section 9.105.440 defines the Downtown by the Downtown Commercial and Special Planning Area 1 zones. Separately, BMC § 5.10.090(4) bars any outdoor musical assembly in the city during the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Violations & Fines
Under BMC § 9.105.430, a person who violates the chapter is subject to a civil fine not to exceed $250.00 for a first offense. For second and subsequent offenses, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor. The sections print no decibel figure; the audio rules in § 9.105.410(2)(e) and (f) turn on whether the sound is audible greater than 50 feet away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can my car stereo be in Burien?
Does the 50-foot rule apply to a speaker in my own yard?
Are festivals and park concerts covered?
What is the penalty for a repeat violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burien
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Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle amplified music & outdoor sound.