Seattle, WA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

520 sets the operative limit for officially sanctioned musical events, live or recorded, in a public park, public place, public market, or civic center: it is unlawful to cause sound that exceeds an Leq of 95 dB(A) for one minute, measured 50 feet (about 15 meters) from the source, and the section does not apply to indoor events. Enforcement escalates from there. Every violation that occurs after the designated on-site agent has been notified of a violation counts as a separate offense, and permit applicants must name that agent to receive notices during the event.

If the sound climbs to 105 dB(A) for a total of five minutes in any 30-minute period, the Administrator, the Director of Seattle Center, the Superintendent of Parks, the Director of Transportation, the Chief of Police, or any of their authorized representatives may terminate the performance outright as a public nuisance after following the notice steps in subsection B. Before a permit issues for an event likely to trigger this section, the application goes to the Administrator, and SDCI can attach conditions reasonably calculated to prevent annoying sounds; where amplified sound is planned and staff expect the 95 dB(A) threshold could be exceeded, the permitting authority must require SDCI sound-control monitoring, which the Administrator can perform directly, delegate to the permitting agency, or contract to an acoustician.

800's default penalty scheme, so a violation is subject to the chapter's general civil penalty of up to $1,300 per day, in addition to permit revocation or on-the-spot termination of the event.