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Cowlitz County, WA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

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

Key Facts

Daytime hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. weekends
Governing law: CCC § 10.25.040(B), night-only disturbances
First offense fine: $75.00 civil infraction
Repeat offense fine: $150 second, $300 third+
Enforcing agency: Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office

Summary

Cowlitz County's noise code defines daytime as 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, meaning any other hour counts as night. In unincorporated Cowlitz County, CCC § 10.25.040(B) adds separate nighttime-only violations in rural, residential areas covering power tools, construction, idling trucks over 10,000 pounds, bells, and amplified music.

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

"Day" or "daytime," for the purposes of this chapter, means the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekends. ... Public Noise Disturbances, at Night in Rural, Residential Areas. Sounds resulting from the following activities are determined to be public noise disturbances when they occur at night and noise is received on property in any rural, residential area.

View official code

Full Breakdown

030). 030 to include single-family and multi-family housing, camps, parks, resorts, and community-service facilities such as hospitals and care homes). Nighttime-only violations include operating a mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, blower, fan or garden tool; running a model with an internal combustion engine; construction activity, including blasting, without a public disturbance exemption permit; idling a stationary truck over 10,000 pounds GVWR for more than 10 minutes; sounding bells, chimes or carillons; and loud, raucous music from an instrument, voice or sound amplifier. 040(A). 040(A)(1) and (3) animal-noise and vehicle-testing provisions. 040(C).

Violations & Fines

A first public noise disturbance under CCC § 10.25.040 is a $75.00 civil infraction under Chapter 7.80 RCW; a second is $150.00, and a third or later is $300.00 (§ 10.25.070(B)). Failing to respond to the infraction notice adds a $25.00 penalty (§ 10.25.070(C)). Each continuing act counts as a separate offense (§ 10.25.070(E)), and the Prosecuting Attorney may instead charge repeat or severe violations as a misdemeanor under § 10.25.080.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hours count as 'night' under Cowlitz County's noise code?

CCC § 10.25.030 defines daytime as 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends. Any hour outside that window is treated as night, triggering the extra nighttime-only violations listed at CCC § 10.25.040(B), such as power tools, construction, idling trucks and amplified music in rural, residential areas of unincorporated Cowlitz County.

Which nighttime activities are automatically a public noise disturbance?

CCC § 10.25.040(B) lists operating a saw, drill, sander, grinder, blower, fan or garden tool; running a model with an internal combustion engine; unpermitted construction or blasting; idling a truck over 10,000 pounds GVWR for more than 10 minutes; sounding bells or carillons; and loud music from an instrument or amplifier.

Who enforces the nighttime noise rules in unincorporated Cowlitz County?

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office has primary enforcement authority under CCC § 10.25.060, though the Public Works Director and the Building and Planning Director each administer specific exemptions under §§ 10.25.040 and 10.25.050 for construction, public-works and animal-noise activity.

What is the penalty for a nighttime noise violation?

CCC § 10.25.070(B) sets a $75.00 civil infraction for a first violation, $150.00 for a second, and $300.00 for a third or later violation; failing to respond to the notice adds a $25.00 penalty under § 10.25.070(C), and repeat conduct can be charged as a misdemeanor under § 10.25.080.

Sources & Official References

[1]Cowlitz County Code, Ch. 10.25 Noise Control (eCode360)

Other rules in Cowlitz County

Construction HoursSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome Restrictions Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard FiresSome Restrictions Vehicle NoiseSome Restrictions Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions Aircraft NoiseFew Restrictions Barking DogsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: BeekeepingSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesSome Restrictions

All Cowlitz County rules

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

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