Grays Harbor County, WA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned zones
- SR 101, SR 109, SR 12, North River Rd, Wynooche Valley Rd
- Penalty
- Up to $250 per infraction
- Exemption
- Fire district and fire department vehicles
- Defense
- Emergency braking to protect persons or property
- Term defined
- Compression brakes, also called jake brakes
Summary
In unincorporated Grays Harbor County, using a truck's compression brake, a jake brake, is banned on five specific road segments: stretches of State Route 101 and 109 near Hoquiam, part of State Route 12, North River Road, and Wynooche Valley Road. An emergency-stop defense applies, and violating the ban is a traffic infraction.
A.Except as provided in this section, no person shall use motor vehicle compression brakes within the following unincorporated areas of Grays Harbor County:1.On State Route 101 north of the city of Hoquiam beginning at milepost 92.8 and ending at milepost 94.6.2.On State Route 109 west of the city of Hoquiam beginning at milepost 2.8 and ending at milepost 4.8.3.On State Route 12 beginning at milepost 9 and ending at milepost 10.4.On North River Road beginning at milepost 2 and ending at milepost 12.5.On Wynooche Valley Road beginning at milepost 0 and ending at milepost 3 and beginning at milepost 15.8 and ending at milepost 17. ... D.As used in this section, the term "compression brakes" means the use of the engine and transmission to retard the forward motion of a motor vehicle by compression of the engine. "Compression brakes" are also referred to as "jake brakes." ... Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for each separate infraction.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 10.12 of the Grays Harbor County Code targets the loud engine-braking noise produced when a truck driver uses a compression, or jake, brake instead of the service brakes. Section 10.12.010(A) bans the practice on five defined unincorporated segments: State Route 101 north of Hoquiam between milepost 92.8 and 94.6, State Route 109 west of Hoquiam between milepost 2.8 and 4.8, State Route 12 between milepost 9 and 10, North River Road between milepost 2 and 12, and Wynooche Valley Road between milepost 0 and 3 and again between milepost 15.8 and 17.
Subsection (B) gives drivers an affirmative defense if the brakes were applied in an emergency to protect persons or property, and subsection (C) exempts fire district and fire department vehicles entirely. Subsection (D) defines compression brakes, also called jake brakes, as using the engine and transmission, rather than the wheel brakes, to slow the vehicle through engine compression. The Washington State Department of Transportation or the county road department posts and maintains signage marking the restricted segments under Section 10.12.030, and Section 10.12.020 makes any violation of the chapter a traffic infraction carrying a fine of up to two hundred fifty dollars for each separate infraction, so repeated engine-braking through a posted zone can draw multiple citations on a single trip.
Violations & Fines
Using a compression brake within a posted no-jake-brake segment is a traffic infraction under Section 10.12.020, punishable by a fine of up to two hundred fifty dollars per infraction. Braking to avoid an accident is a defense, and fire district or department vehicles are exempt from the ban entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are jake brakes banned in unincorporated Grays Harbor County?
What's the penalty for using a jake brake in a banned zone?
Are there any exceptions to the ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Grays Harbor County
Compare Grays Harbor County to another location·View the Washington noise ordinances overview
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