Burien, WA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Burien, WA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Weekday ban
- 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Weekend ban
- 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
- Variance authority
- City manager, city of Burien public works projects only
- First offense
- Civil fine not to exceed $250.00
- Repeat offenses
- Misdemeanor
- Noise mitigation plan trigger
- Residential exposure above Ldn of 55 dBA
Summary
In the City of Burien, Washington, BMC § 9.105.410(2)(h) makes sound from construction sites a public disturbance noise between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends. Only the city manager can grant a variance, and only for city of Burien public works projects. A first offense carries 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. (2) Illustrative Enumeration. The following sounds are public disturbance noises in violation of this chapter: ... (h) Sounds originating from construction sites, including but not limited to sounds from construction equipment, power tools, and hammering, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends; provided, however, the city manager shall have the discretion to issue variances for city of Burien public works projects if the city manager determines, after considering the relative interests of the applicant, other owners or possessors of property likely to be affected by the noise, and the general public, that the noise occurring or proposed to occur does not endanger health and safety of a substantial number of persons.
Full Breakdown
Burien Municipal Code § 9.105.410(2)(h) is the construction noise rule for the City of Burien in King County, Washington. It covers sounds originating from construction sites, including but not limited to construction equipment, power tools and hammering. On weekdays those sounds are barred between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. On weekends the barred window is wider, running between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Subsection (1) makes the rule reach beyond the crew on site: it is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, a public disturbance noise, so a property owner who holds the site carries the same duty as the contractor.
The only variance printed in the subsection belongs to the city manager and applies only to city of Burien public works projects. Before granting one, the city manager considers the relative interests of the applicant, other owners or possessors of property likely to be affected by the noise, and the general public, and must determine that the noise does not endanger health and safety of a substantial number of persons. Homeowners doing temporary maintenance or repair projects fall under a different window in subsection (2)(i): 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekends.
Separately, BMC 10.20.015 requires proponents of projects that raise exterior noise exposure for residential areas above an Ldn of 55 dBA to submit a noise mitigation plan to the Burien department of community development before required permits are issued.
Violations & Fines
Under BMC 9.105.430, a person who violates the construction noise rule 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. BMC 1.15.080 also makes each day during any portion of which a violation occurs or continues a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is construction noise banned in Burien?
Can a contractor get a variance for night work in Burien?
Who is responsible, the contractor or the property owner?
What is the penalty for construction noise in Burien?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burien
How Burien compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Burien to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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Construction Hours in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle construction hours.