In unincorporated Pierce County, outdoor amplified music, band sessions, and social-gathering noise are barred by PCC 8.72.090.F when loud, raucous, and disturbing to neighbors, at any hour. Officially sanctioned parades and public events are exempt from the decibel limits (PCC 8.76.070.D.8). Cities permit outdoor events under their own codes.
The county reaches outdoor music through PCC 8.72.090.F, which bans loud and raucous sound from an instrument, amplifier, band session, tavern, or social gathering that frequently or continuously disturbs nearby residents. PCC 8.72.090.G separately bars yelling, shouting, whistling, or singing that unreasonably disturbs neighbors. Outdoor music can also be measured against the Chapter 8.76 limits (PCC 8.76.060), reduced 10 dBA for residential property 10 p.m.-7 a.m. Two event exemptions matter: PCC 8.76.070.D.8 exempts 'sounds originating from officially sanctioned parades and other public events,' and PCC 8.72.090.H.3 exempts portable audio in a public park under a valid permit. So a permitted festival is treated differently from an unpermitted party. These rules apply in unincorporated areas; cities issue their own event permits.
Unpermitted outdoor-music complaints go to the Sheriff's Office on a resident's complaint (PCC 8.72.120.B.1); the officer weighs whether the sound is loud, raucous, and disturbing. Sanctioned public events under a county permit are exempt. Repeats can bring citations and penalties.
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