Grant County, WA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Grant County, 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
- Governing section
- GCC § 6.24.020(3)
- Covered sources
- Instruments, TVs, stereos, radios, band sessions, gatherings
- Standard used
- Frequent, repetitive or continuous, unreasonably disturbing
- Enforcing agency
- Grant County Sheriff's Office
- First offense
- $150 civil infraction
- Exempt events
- Sanctioned parades, park programs, community games
Summary
Unincorporated Grant County treats frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds from musical instruments, TVs, stereos, radios, band sessions or social gatherings in a residential area as a public noise disturbance under § 6.24.020(3) if they unreasonably disturb neighbors. Violators face civil infractions rising to misdemeanor penalties under § 6.24.070.
(3)Frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds which emanate from, or are created in, a residential area, which unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace and comfort of owners or possessors of real property or, users of public property, including without limitation: sounds from musical instruments, televisions, audio sound systems, radios, band sessions or social gatherings.
Full Breakdown
020 defines a 'public noise disturbance' to include, at subsection (3), frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds that emanate from or are created in a residential area and unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace and comfort of owners, possessors or users of property, expressly listing sounds from musical instruments, televisions, audio sound systems, radios, band sessions or social gatherings. 040 then makes it unlawful for anyone to cause, continue, or allow such a disturbance to originate from property in their possession or control anywhere in the unincorporated county.
030, judge disturbances by whether the sound is frequent, repetitive or continuous and unreasonably interferes with a neighbor's peace and comfort. 050(a)(22)) are exempt at all hours. Outside those exemptions, an amplified music complaint from a residential neighborhood is evaluated under the general public-noise-disturbance standard, not a fixed volume limit.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the public noise disturbance standard is a civil infraction with a $150 fine under § 6.24.070. Anyone previously found in violation who offends again commits a misdemeanor, punishable by up to ninety days in the Grant County Jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. Each 24-hour period of continuing noise is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a decibel limit for loud music in unincorporated Grant County?
Can I be cited for playing music at a backyard party?
Are community events like ballgames exempt from the noise rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Grant County
Compare Grant County to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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