Kirkland, WA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)

Short-term rental guests in Kirkland are bound by the same noise regulations as any resident under Kirkland Municipal Code Chapter 11.88, which adopts the Washington State Maximum Environmental Noise Levels in WAC 173-60 and imposes quiet hours in residential areas from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. weekends. Daytime noise from residential property may not exceed 55 dBA measured at the receiving residential property line, with the limit dropping to 45 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Typical enforcement targets include outdoor parties, amplified music, shouting, loud vehicle use, and hot tub noise that disturbs neighbors. Under Kirkland STR rules, operators must provide guests with a written house-rules notice including the quiet-hour schedule and must designate a 24/7 local contact able to respond to complaints. The City may respond to repeated noise complaints by issuing civil infractions starting at around 250 dollars and escalating for subsequent violations, and documented noise violations may be grounds for revocation of the short-term rental business license. Operators with chronic nuisance properties may be subject to additional penalties under KMC 9.18 nuisance provisions. Hosts are strongly encouraged to use noise-monitoring devices that detect decibel levels without recording audio to catch violations before they become formal complaints.