Tacoma, WA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- TMC § 8.12.060
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine, 90 days jail
- First-offense fine
- $500, $250 non-suspendable
- Audio device standard
- audible beyond 50 feet
- Enforcement
- Tacoma Police Department
Summary
Tacoma's public disturbance noise law bans sound from social gatherings, band sessions, or audio equipment that unreasonably disturbs neighbors' peace, with real misdemeanor penalties for hosts.
The creation of frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds which emanate from any building, structure, apartment, or condominium, which unreasonably interfere with the peace, comfort, and repose of owners or possessors of real property, such as sounds from audio equipment, musical instruments, band sessions, or social gatherings;
E. Sound from audio equipment, such as tape players, radios, and compact disc players, operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than 50 feet from the source, and if not operated upon the property of the operator. The foregoing provisions shall not apply to regularly scheduled events at parks, such as public address systems for baseball games or park concerts. (Ord. 24464 § 2, 1989-11-07; Ord. 26949 § 5, 2002-07-16; Ord. 27673 Ex. D, 2008-02-19; Ord. 27956 Ex. A, 2010-12-14; ratified and reconfirmed by Ord. 28943, 2024-01-16; Subst. Ord. 28922 2023-12-05)
Full Breakdown
Tacoma Municipal Code § 8.12.060 makes it unlawful to cause or allow noise from a property that unreasonably disturbs a reasonable person's peace, comfort, and repose: expressly including frequent or continuous sounds from social gatherings, band sessions, and audio equipment audible more than 50 feet from the source. The ordinance also targets sound plainly audible inside another dwelling unit and late-night yelling or singing near public streets. Police cite the property occupant directly under this section; there is no separate host-registration scheme, just a straightforward noise violation tied to the disturbance.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and 90 days jail; a mandatory $500 fine ($250 non-suspendable) on first conviction, $700 ($300 non-suspendable) on repeat violations (TMC § 8.12.065).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Tacoma police cite a homeowner for a loud party?
What's the fine for a first noise citation in Tacoma?
Sources & Official References
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Loud Party Ordinance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle loud party ordinance.