Tacoma, WA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

No person shall make, continue, or cause or permit to be made or continued any continuous sound attributable to any source that increases the total sound level above the ambient sound level by the limits in Table 1 when measured at or within a receiving property: Table 1. Maximum permissible sound level in excess of the ambient sound level:

Outdoors Indoors 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 10 dBA 6 dBC 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 5 dBA 3 dBC

B. No person shall make, continue, or cause or permit to be made or continued any impulsive sound, attributable to the source, that increases the total sound level by 15 dB(A) or more above the ambient sound level, when there are less than ten impulses per hour between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., less than four impulses within one hour between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. If the number of impulses exceeds that set forth in this subsection, the sound level limits in Table 1 of subsection A shall apply.

C. Where a particular sound source or device is subject to decibel level limits and requirements specifically prescribed for such source, device or activity elsewhere in this code, the decibel level limits set forth in this section shall not apply to such sound source, device, or activity.

D. Construction activities shall be governed under Section 8.122.070. (Ord. 27673 Ex. A, 2008-02-19; repealed and reenacted by Ord. 28293 Ex. A, 2015-04-14)