Seattle noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

When are quiet hours in Seattle?

Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays, when residential limits drop by 10 dB(A).
Right now: Checking the clock for Seattle.
Who to call: SPD non-emergency: 206-625-5011. Animal noise: 206-386-7387.
The law: Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08. Read the code

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We checked this against the city's code and website on October 17, 2026.

Seattle's noise law is Chapter 25.08 of the Seattle Municipal Code, the Noise Control chapter. It works on two tracks. Machines and other constant sources are held to decibel limits enforced by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). Parties, music, barking and other "public disturbance" noise go to the police, who judge them by ear.

Decibel limits

SMC 25.08.410 sets exterior limits based on the zone the sound comes from and the zone it lands in. For sound reaching a residential property:

55 dB(A) from a residential source
57 dB(A) from a commercial source
60 dB(A) from an industrial source

The limits use the average level over the measurement period, at least one minute for a constant sound or one hour for an on-and-off one. Short peaks may go up to 15 dB(A) above the limit (25.08.410(B)).

Nighttime and weekend mornings

Under SMC 25.08.420(A), the limits drop by 10 dB(A) where the receiving property is in a residential district:

10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays
10 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends and legal holidays

So a residential-to-residential limit of 55 dB(A) becomes 45 dB(A) overnight. Sounds with a pure tone, such as a whine from equipment, and impulsive sounds get a further 5 dB(A) reduction (25.08.420(B) and (C)).

Late-night parties

SMC 25.08.505 makes it unlawful to knowingly let your property be used for a "residential disturbance." Section 25.08.225 defines that as a gathering of more than one person at a residential property in a neighborhood residential or multifamily zone where the noise is frequent, repetitive or continuous and can be heard 75 feet or more from the property, during these hours:

10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights
11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights

Three or more violations at the same property within 12 months, by residents of the same unit, make the property a nuisance the City Attorney can take to court (25.08.508). The City Attorney must notify both the owner and tenant.

Music, barking and other disturbance noise

SMC 25.08.500 makes it unlawful to knowingly make, or allow from your property, unreasonable noise that disturbs another person, and then refuse to stop when ordered to by a police officer. For animal noise, an animal control officer can also give the order. "Unreasonable noise" includes loud and raucous, and frequent, repetitive or continuous:

sounds made by any animal
sounds from musical instruments, whistles, speakers or other sound devices
engine noise from starting, repairing or testing a vehicle or engine
shouting or other voice sounds, amplified or not, from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Car stereos and portable speakers that can be heard 75 feet away are covered by a separate rule (25.08.515), though people playing music on their own premises are excluded from it.

Construction

SDCI's noise page says construction noise is generally limited to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The code (25.08.425) sets more detailed hours by zone and equipment type.

Who to contact

SDCI's noise page says its noise program does not cover public nuisance noise such as music, amplified sound, horns or vehicles. For those, it says to call the Seattle Police Department's non-emergency number at 206-625-5011. Animal noise goes to Animal Control at 206-386-7387. For construction and equipment noise, SDCI's violation complaint line is 206-615-0808. Call 911 for emergencies.

Penalties

A public disturbance under 25.08.500 is a crime with absolute liability, punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both (25.08.800(B)).
A residential disturbance under 25.08.505 is a Class 1 civil infraction with a default penalty of $250 plus statutory assessments. A person who keeps going after the notice, or does it again within 24 hours, commits a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both (25.08.805).
Car and portable audio violations carry a civil fine of up to $50 (25.08.800(C)(1)).
Citations for breaking the decibel limits run $150, $300 and $600 for first, second and later violations (25.08.960).

Washington law

Washington's noise rule, WAC 173-60-040, limits noise that crosses onto another property. For a home, the basic limit is 55 dBA, and it drops by 10 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The Washington noise rules page links the rule.

Keeping a record

Seattle's disturbance rules depend on noise being frequent, repetitive or continuous. So a dated log showing the pattern is worth having before you call. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app records each incident with the time, length and an estimated decibel level. It turns the log into a PDF report or complaint letter for a landlord or property manager.

Seattle noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in Seattle?

10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays, when residential limits drop by 10 dB(A).

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in Seattle?

SPD non-emergency: 206-625-5011. Animal noise: 206-386-7387.

Where are Seattle's noise rules?

Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08. There is a link to the official code at the top and bottom of this page.

What is the fine for a noise violation in Seattle?

A residential disturbance is a $250 civil infraction. Keeping it up after notice is a misdemeanor with up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both.

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.