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Thurston County, WA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing rule
WAC 173-60, adopted by reference
Industrial EDNA class
Class C
Commercial EDNA class
Class B
Measurement point
Property line
Code section
Thurston County Code § 21.57.030

Summary

Thurston County caps industrial and commercial noise at the property line using Washington's state EDNA noise classes, not a flat local decibel number.

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

A. The maximum allowable noise levels as measured at the property line of noise impacted uses or activities shall be those set forth in the Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 173-60, titled "Maximum Environmental Noise Levels," which chapter is incorporated by reference. B. The "Environmental Designation for Noise Abatement" (EDNA) for the several land use classifications of this title shall be as follows: ... Light industrial, industrial, mineral extraction C

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 77).

Full Breakdown

Zoning code Section 21.57.030 sets maximum noise at the property line of any noise-impacted use by adopting WAC 173-60, the state's Maximum Environmental Noise Levels rule, by reference. Light industrial, industrial, and mineral extraction land is classified EDNA Class C (the receiving-property class that sets which state decibel table applies), while commercial areas are Class B and residential/institutional areas are Class A. Levels are measured at the property line per WAC 173-60 procedures, and Table 21T-14 in the county code lists the resulting numeric limits by source-and-receiving-class pairing.

Violations & Fines

Enforced by Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development under the environmental performance standards chapter; the department can demand technical noise data from an operator and require corrective steps to bring a site into compliance with the WAC 173-60 limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Thurston County set its own decibel numbers for industrial noise?
No. Section 21.57.030 incorporates the state's WAC 173-60 Maximum Environmental Noise Levels table rather than writing separate county decibel limits.
What EDNA class applies to an industrial park in unincorporated Thurston County?
Light industrial, industrial, and mineral extraction land is Class C under the county's noise abatement designation, per § 21.57.030(B).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Thurston County

Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsConstruction HoursSome RestrictionsLeaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsVehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Store RulesSome Restrictions

All Thurston County rules

Compare Thurston County to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview

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