Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Lewis County

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

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

Quiet hours in Lewis 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

Curfew hours
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
First offense
$50 Class 4 civil infraction
Second offense (12 months)
$125 Class 2 civil infraction
Third offense
Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 and 90 days
Enforcing agency
Sheriff's office and code enforcement
Proof standard
No sound meter reading required

Summary

Unincorporated Lewis County bars public disturbance noise between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under LCC § 1.23.030, covering vehicle horns, yelling, shouting and building noise that unreasonably disturbs neighbors' peace and repose. The Sheriff's Office and code enforcement issue civil infractions that escalate from $50 to a criminal misdemeanor on a third offense.

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

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 which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort and repose of other property owners or possessors. The following sources of sound when they unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of property owners or possessors shall be prohibited public disturbance noises: ... Frequent repetitive or continuous ... yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;

View official code

Full Breakdown

23 LCC (Ord. 010. window: frequent or continuous vehicle horns or sirens, engine starting, repair or testing noise audible from the road or neighboring property, and frequent yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing. Firearm discharge is separately restricted between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise, except at authorized ranges. m. is enough on its own.

Violations & Fines

Under § 1.23.040(1), a first proven noise violation within 12 months is a Class 4 civil infraction carrying a $50 penalty plus statutory assessments. A second violation within the same 12-month period becomes a Class 2 infraction at $125, and it does not need to follow a prior conviction. A third or later violation within one year is a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, 90 days in jail, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hours does Lewis County's noise curfew cover?
Most prohibited noises under LCC § 1.23.030(1), including vehicle horns, engine testing, and yelling or shouting, run from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Firearm discharge has its own window, restricted from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, except at authorized shooting ranges.
Do I need a decibel meter reading to prove a noise complaint in unincorporated Lewis County?
No. Section 1.23.040(2) states that evidence of a sound-level meter reading is not necessary to establish a public disturbance noise violation in either a civil infraction or criminal case, so an officer's or witness's account of the disturbance can support a citation on its own.
What is the penalty for a first-time noise violation in Lewis County?
A first violation of § 1.23.030 within the past 12 months is a Class 4 civil infraction carrying a $50 penalty plus statutory assessments under § 1.23.040(1)(a). A second violation in the same 12-month period jumps to a $125 Class 2 infraction, and a third becomes a criminal misdemeanor.
Are home repairs or yard work exempt from the noise curfew?
Yes, within limits. Section 1.23.030(2)(g) exempts sounds from temporary home, ground or appurtenance maintenance and repair projects on residential or rural property, but only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; the same daytime window applies to nearby construction activity under subsection (2)(h).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lewis County

Construction HoursSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsVehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesFew RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: MicrochippingSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All Lewis County rules

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

Get notified when Quiet Hours in Lewis County, WA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.