Everett, WA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- Plainly audible across property line or 50 ft
- First offense
- Misdemeanor
- Repeat offense
- Gross misdemeanor after 3 in 365 days
- Who's liable
- Person in possession of the property
- Citation
- EMC § 20.08.090(A)(3)
Summary
Under Everett's noise ordinance, whoever is in possession of a property is liable for allowing a public nuisance noise, including a loud party, to originate there, whether or not they personally made the noise.
It is unlawful and declared a public nuisance for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, public nuisance noise as defined herein. For prosecution under this section, evidence of sound level through the use of a sound level meter reading shall not be necessary to establish a commission of the offense.
4. Sounds which do not exceed the maximum environmental noise levels set forth in EMC 20.08.040 may constitute public disturbance noises.
5. For purposes of this section, any noise or sound emanating from a business or other source on the property shall be presumed to be with knowledge, permission or consent of the owner or legal occupant of the property, which presumption may be rebutted by reasonable evidence to the contrary.
B. Public Nuisance Plainly Audible Across a Real Property Line or Fifty Feet From the Source. The following sounds, unless specifically exempted from this chapter, are prohibited if the sound is plainly audible across a real property line or fifty feet from the source, whichever is less:
1. The frequent, repetitive and/or continuous sounding of any horn, siren or alarm attached to a motor vehicle, except when used as a warning of danger or as specifically permitted or required by law.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4194-26, passed July 29, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Everett Municipal Code § 20.08.090(A)(3) makes it unlawful for any person in possession of property to allow public nuisance noise to originate from that property, and no sound-meter reading is required to prove the violation. The code separately lists frequent, repetitive sounds from social gatherings as plainly audible nuisance noise under subsection (B)(3) when heard across a property line or 50 feet from the source. A first violation is a misdemeanor; anyone racking up three or more noise misdemeanors within 365 days becomes guilty of a gross misdemeanor on the next violation. Everett police enforce it inside the city; unincorporated areas beyond city limits fall under Snohomish County, not this ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Violating the nuisance noise standard is a misdemeanor; each 24-hour period of continued violation is a separate offense, and three or more violations in a year make the next one a gross misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for a party even if I wasn't the one being loud?
How close does party noise have to carry to count as a violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Everett
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