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Bellingham, WA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

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

Quiet hours in Bellingham, WA, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.

Key Facts

Construction noise curfew
barred 10 p.m.–7 a.m., residential zones
General standard
no sound that unreasonably disturbs peace
Special zones
downtown and Fairhaven entertainment districts
Citation
BMC 10.24.120

Summary

Bellingham's noise ordinance bars sound that unreasonably disturbs others' peace and comfort, and specifically restricts residential construction and industrial noise to outside the 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. window.

C. It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound that is a public disturbance noise... 4. Construction and industrial noises... in residentially zoned areas, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., which unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of others.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-06-015, passed June 1, 2026).

Full Breakdown

BMC 10.24.120 declares it unlawful to cause, or to allow property to originate, a 'public disturbance noise,' evaluated against factors including the time of day, duration, volume, nature of the sound, and location. Rather than a single citywide curfew, the code sets one hard clock: motorized construction and equipment operation, hammering, blasting, drilling, and sawing in residentially zoned areas are barred between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless the work is an emergency repair or the city council grants a variance. Downtown and Fairhaven are designated 'entertainment districts' where music-venue sound gets added latitude under the reasonableness test.

Violations & Fines

First offense is a civil infraction up to $250 under BMC 10.24.120(D); a second or later offense is a misdemeanor up to $1,000 fine or 90 days jail, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bellingham have set quiet hours?
Not a single blanket curfew. BMC 10.24.120 uses a reasonableness standard, but it does bar residential construction and industrial noise specifically between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
What's the penalty for a noise complaint in Bellingham?
A first violation of BMC 10.24.120 is a civil infraction up to $250; a second or later violation becomes a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bellingham

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsConstruction HoursSome RestrictionsVehicle NoiseSignificant RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsDecibel LimitsSome RestrictionsAircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Native PlantsSignificant RestrictionsBuilding Safety: Door Locking HardwareSome Restrictions

All Bellingham rules

How Bellingham compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Bellingham to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview

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