Chapter 8.11
PUBLIC DISTURBANCE NOISES
Sections:
8.11.020 Public disturbance noises defined.
8.11.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to control noise in a manner which promotes commerce; the use, value, and enjoyment of property; sleep and repose; and the quality of the environment. (Ord. 505 § 1 (part), 1998)
8.11.020 Public disturbance noises defined.
“Public disturbance noises” means and includes:
A. Loud, raucous, frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds which occur at such a volume that the sound can be audible by a person of normal hearing at a distance of seventy-five feet or more from the source of the sound, including, but not limited to, sounds from audio equipment, musical instruments or social gatherings;
B. Sounds coming from portable or motor vehicle audio equipment, or any horn or siren attached to a motor vehicle, operated at such a volume so as to be audible by a person of normal hearing at a distance of seventy-five feet or more from the source of the sound;
C. The frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren, except as a warning of danger or as specifically permitted or required by law;
D. The creation of frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds in connection with the starting, operation, repair, rebuilding or testing or any motor vehicle, motorcycle, off-highway vehicle, watercraft or internal combustion engine within a residential district, so as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of owners or possessors of real property, unless otherwise authorized by law;
E. Yelling, shouting, whistling or other raucous noises, on or near the public streets between the hours of eleven p.m. and seven a.m.;
F. The creation of frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds which emanate from any building, structure, apartment or condominium, which unreasonably interfere with peace, comfort and repose of owners or possessors of real property, such as, but not limited to, sounds from audio equipment, musical instruments, band sessions or social gatherings. Unreasonable interference shall be a sound volume which is audible by a person of normal hearing at a distance of thirty feet or more from the source, unless it occurs within a multifamily unit such as a duplex, apartment or condominium, in which case it shall be a public disturbance noise if it is clearly audible to a neighbor, with hearing of a person of normal hearing, at a site located within the neighbor’s unit or common area. (Ord. 505 § 1 (part), 1998)
8.11.030 Exemptions.
The following shall be exempt from the application of this chapter: regularly scheduled public events, authorized community sponsored events, safety devices, fire alarms and emergency vehicles. (Ord. 505 § 1 (part), 1998)
8.11.040 Violation.
A. It is unlawful for any person to permit, cause, make or allow a public disturbance noise to originate from any property, including real or personal property, under such person’s control or ownership.
B. The content of the sound will not be considered in determining a violation of this section. (Ord. 505 § 1 (part), 1998)
8.11.050 Punishment.
The conduct made unlawful under this chapter shall constitute a class 1 civil infraction pursuant to RCW 7.80.120, as now exists or as may be hereafter amended, and subject to the maximum penalty as specified therein. (Ord. 505 § 1 (part), 1998)