Bothell, WA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

BMC 8.26.080(A) provides that no person shall operate any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles upon any public highway in violation of the standards in WAC 173-62-060(1) through (4), which section is adopted by reference. The Bothell code does not reprint those numeric standards. It also defines public highway broadly: the entire width between the boundary lines of every road, street, alley, lane, boulevard, parking lot, and every way or place in the city, whether publicly or privately maintained, when any part of it is open at any time to the use of the public for vehicular traffic. A private parking lot open to the public is therefore covered. Subsection B adopts by reference the exemptions to motor vehicle noise stated in WAC 173-62-040.

Two local nuisance rules in BMC 8.26.060 apply on top of the state standard. Subsection C makes it a public nuisance to create frequent, repetitive or continuous noise in connection with the starting, operation, repair, rebuilding or testing of any motor vehicle, motorcycle, off-highway vehicle or internal combustion engine within Class A EDNA, so as to unreasonably disturb the peace, comfort and repose of property owners or possessors. Under BMC 8.26.030(A), Class A EDNA covers lands where people reside and sleep, including all properties zoned single-family or multiple-family residential.

Subsection I makes it a nuisance to operate a motor vehicle audio system, such as a tape player, radio or compact disc player, at a volume audible greater than 75 feet from the source. Subsection B of the same section covers the frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren attached to a motor vehicle, except as a warning of danger or as permitted or required by law.

BMC 8.26.090(A) bars variances from § 8.26.060, and BMC 8.26.070 lets two or more persons at separate residences trigger a code enforcement officer's notice.