Quiet hours in King County, WA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
King County Code Title 12 (Ordinance 18000, adopted 2015) regulates noise in unincorporated areas. Nighttime limits are 10 dB lower than daytime. Quiet hours run 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 10 PM to 9 AM weekends. Public disturbance noise that unreasonably disturbs the peace is prohibited at all times.
King County Code Title 12, Chapters 12.86 through 12.99, governs noise in unincorporated King County. Ordinance 18000 (2015) shifted enforcement from purely technical decibel measurements to revised public disturbance provisions. Public disturbance noise is defined as any sound that unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort, or repose of a person. Examples include amplified rhythmic bass music plainly audible at 50 feet over land or 300 feet over water, sound interfering with normal conversation at 50 feet, and loud or rowdy sound within 1,000 feet of a school, hospital, or nursing home. Nighttime sound level limits are 10 dB below daytime limits between 10 PM and 7 AM weekdays, and 10 PM and 9 AM weekends. Enforcement is handled by the King County Permitting Division (206-296-6600) and King County Sheriff's Office. First-time violators who attempt good-faith mediation may have their case dismissed.
Noise infraction fines escalate with each violation within a 12-month period. Good-faith mediation on a first violation may result in court dismissal. Repeated violations subject to increased penalties.
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See how King County's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
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