Thurston County, WA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Thurston 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 limit
- 55 dBA, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Nighttime limit
- 45 dBA, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Measured at
- Adjacent parcel or right-of-way
- Criminal penalty
- Misdemeanor
- Civil penalty
- $100 per 24-hour violation
Summary
Thurston County caps outdoor sound at 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. at neighboring property, dropping from the 55 dBA daytime limit.
Is caused by the operation of any device designed for sound production or reproduction, such as but not limited to radios, televisions, musical instruments, phonographs, stereos and loudspeakers that exceeds fifty-five dBA between the hours of seven a.m. and ten p.m. and forty-five dBA between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m., measured at any adjacent parcel or public right-of-way; or
C. Is caused by the operation of either a gas or diesel powered generator that exceeds fifty-five dBA between the hours of seven a.m. and ten p.m. and forty-five dBA between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m., measured at any adjacent parcel or public right-of-way; or
D. Is caused by any noise source described in subsections A, B and C of this section, which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort and repose of owners or possessors of real property determined at any point on the affected property.
For purposes of this chapter, noise complaints may only be initiated by a person who resides, or owns property in the area affected by the noise complained of.
(Ord. 13378 (part), 2005: Ord. 9189 § 3, 1989: Ord. 8274 § 2, 1986: Ord. 8072 § 2 (part), 1985)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 77).
Full Breakdown
County Code Section 10.36.030 sets a hard decibel ceiling for sound from motorized vehicles, sound-reproduction devices (radios, TVs, stereos, loudspeakers), and gas or diesel generators: no more than fifty-five dBA between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., dropping to forty-five dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., measured at any adjacent parcel or public right-of-way. A fourth catch-all bars any of those same sources from unreasonably disturbing a neighbor's peace and repose, measured on the affected property itself. Yard maintenance, construction, and home repair noise are only exempt during the 7 a.m.-to-10 p.m. window under Section 10.36.040. Complaints can only be filed by someone who resides in or owns property in the affected area.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor under Section 10.36.050, plus separate civil penalties of $100 per 24-hour period for state Ecology noise-rule violations under Chapter 10.38.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as covered noise at night in Thurston County?
Who can file a noise complaint?
Are yard tools or construction exempt at night?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thurston County
How Thurston County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Thurston County to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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