Lacey, WA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Lacey, 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
- Lacey Municipal Code § 9.24.080, Loud sounds prohibited
- Standard
- Plainly audible within a dwelling unit in a residential district
- Decibel or hour limit
- None printed in this section
- Sources covered
- Real property, motor vehicles, equipment, other sources of sound
- Exemption
- Emergency equipment of law enforcement, fire and medical personnel
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor; up to $1,000.00 or ninety days
Summary
In the City of Lacey, Washington, it is a misdemeanor to willfully cause or allow sound from property, a motor vehicle or equipment that is plainly audible within a dwelling unit in a residential district and unreasonably disturbs the peace and comfort of occupants. The section sets no decibel number and no clock hours.
It is unlawful for any person willfully to cause, or, being in possession of real property, a motor vehicle, equipment or other source of sound willfully to allow sound to emanate from such property, vehicle or equipment which is plainly audible within any dwelling unit located within a residentially zoned district of the city and which sound is of such loudness, frequency, duration, or unreasonable time of the day as to unreasonably disturb the peace and comfort of owners or possessors of dwelling units within such residential district when such owners or possessors are within such dwelling units. Provided, however, that this prohibition shall not apply to sounds created by emergency equipment operated by law enforcement, fire department or medical emergency personnel. A violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor.
Full Breakdown
Lacey Municipal Code § 9.24.080, Loud sounds prohibited, is the City of Lacey's rule for amplified music, car stereos and other sound equipment. It is unlawful for any person willfully to cause, or, being in possession of real property, a motor vehicle, equipment or other source of sound, willfully to allow sound to emanate from that property, vehicle or equipment, when the sound is plainly audible within any dwelling unit located within a residentially zoned district of the city.
Plainly audible is not enough alone. The sound must also be of such loudness, frequency, duration, or unreasonable time of the day as to unreasonably disturb the peace and comfort of owners or possessors of dwelling units within the residential district when they are inside those units. The test is measured from inside a dwelling in a residentially zoned district, not from the property line, and the section prints no decibel limit and no quiet hours. A speaker on a commercial lot still falls under the rule when the sound reaches a dwelling in a residential district.
The only exemption is for sounds created by emergency equipment operated by law enforcement, fire department or medical emergency personnel. Section 1.01.030 extends any prohibition in the code to causing, allowing, permitting, aiding or abetting, which is why the owner of the property or vehicle is reachable as well as the person running the equipment.
A separate performance standard in zoning chapter 16.57 (§ 16.57.030) does set numbers for land uses. It incorporates Chapter 173-60 WAC, designates living areas as Class A, and reduces the table limits by 10 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. for Class A receiving property.
Violations & Fines
Section 9.24.080 states that a violation constitutes a misdemeanor. Under § 1.12.010, a person convicted of a misdemeanor under the ordinances of the City of Lacey is punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or imprisonment not to exceed ninety days, or both, and each day of a violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a decibel limit for music in the City of Lacey?
Are there quiet hours for loud music in Lacey?
Does the Lacey rule cover car stereos?
What is the penalty for a Lacey loud sound violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lacey
Compare Lacey to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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