Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Lewis County, WA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Construction hours in Lewis County, WA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.

Key Facts

Exempt construction hours
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Outside those hours
Treated as public disturbance noise
First offense
$50 Class 4 civil infraction
Third offense
Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 and 90 days
Related exemption
Home repair projects, same hours, §(2)(g)

Summary

Unincorporated Lewis County exempts construction noise from its public disturbance rule only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. under LCC § 1.23.030(2)(h); sounds from a temporary construction site outside that window can be cited as a public disturbance noise violation.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Lewis County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to: ... Sounds originating between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. from ... temporary construction sites as a result of construction activity;

Full Breakdown

030(1). from temporary construction sites as a result of construction activity. loses the exemption and falls back under the general prohibition on sound that unreasonably disturbs a neighbor's peace, comfort and repose. window for home and grounds maintenance and repair projects, and (2)(j) applies the identical hours to non-mining blasting. can be cited on a neighbor's or deputy's account alone.

Violations & Fines

Construction noise outside the 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. exemption is enforced as an ordinary § 1.23.030 violation: a first offense is a Class 4 civil infraction at $50 plus statutory assessments, a second within 12 months is a Class 2 infraction at $125, and a third within a year is a criminal misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail under § 1.23.040(1).

Frequently Asked Questions

What hours can construction noise legally happen in unincorporated Lewis County?
Between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. LCC § 1.23.030(2)(h) exempts sounds from temporary construction sites during that window from the county's public disturbance noise rule. Outside those hours, the exemption no longer applies and construction sound can be cited under the general § 1.23.030(1) prohibition.
Can a neighbor complain about a contractor starting work at 6 a.m. in Lewis County?
Yes. Section 1.23.030(2)(h) only protects construction sound between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., so equipment running before that window falls back under § 1.23.030(1)'s ban on sound that unreasonably disturbs a neighbor's peace, comfort and repose, and no decibel reading is needed to support the complaint.
Does Lewis County treat home repair noise the same as construction noise?
Nearly. Section 1.23.030(2)(g) gives residential and rural property owners the identical 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. exemption for temporary home, ground and appurtenance maintenance and repair projects, so both categories of work share the same permitted daytime window under Chapter 1.23 LCC.
What is the penalty for construction noise outside permitted hours in Lewis County?
It follows the standard noise penalty schedule. A first violation is a $50 Class 4 civil infraction, a second within 12 months is a $125 Class 2 infraction, and a third within a year becomes a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail under § 1.23.040.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lewis County

All Lewis County rules

How Lewis County compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Lewis County to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview

Get notified when Construction Hours in Lewis County, WA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.