Everett, WA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- District III source to District I
- 60 dB(A)
- District III source to District II
- 65 dB(A)
- District III source to District III
- 70 dB(A)
- Measurement standard
- One-hour Leq, ANSI meter
- Enforcement
- Ch. 1.20 EMC; misdemeanor after 3 notices
Summary
Everett limits noise from District III industrial and agricultural zones (AG, LI, HI, WRM) to 60 dB(A) reaching residential District I, 65 dB(A) reaching mixed-use District II, and 70 dB(A) reaching another District III property, per Everett Municipal Code § 20.08.040.
A. Maximum Permissible Noise Levels. For sound sources located within the city of Everett, the maximum permissible exterior noise levels are as follows: ... | III | 60 dB(A) | 65 dB(A) | 70 dB(A) |
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4194-26, passed July 29, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Everett Municipal Code § 20.08.040(A) sets maximum permissible exterior noise levels using a source-district/receiving-district matrix. District III covers 'all agricultural and industrially zoned districts including but not limited to AG, LI, and HI and WRM.' Sound from a District III source is capped at 60 dB(A) at a District I receiving property, 65 dB(A) at District II, and 70 dB(A) at another District III property. Levels are measured as a one-hour Leq (minimum one-minute interval for constant sources) under § 20.08.140, using ANSI-standard sound level meters. Enforcement runs through Chapter 1.20 EMC, and a person with three or more prior notices within 365 days is guilty of a misdemeanor on a subsequent violation.
Violations & Fines
Confirmed violation via certified sound-level-meter reading triggers enforcement under Chapter 1.20 EMC; three or more prior notices within 365 days makes a further violation a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Everett limit noise from factories and warehouses?
What zones count as District III?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Everett
Compare Everett to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle decibel limits.