Chapter 8.15
PUBLIC DISTURBANCE NOISE

Sections:

8.15.010    Declaration of policy.

8.15.020    Public nuisance and disturbance noises.

8.15.030    Penalty for violation.

8.15.010 Declaration of policy.

The City council finds that inadequately controlled noise adversely affects the health, safety and welfare of the people, the value of property, and the quality of the environment. Therefore, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the City of Sammamish to minimize the exposure of citizens to the harmful physiological and psychological effects of excessive noise. It is the express intent of the City to control the level of noise in a manner which promotes commerce, the use, value and enjoyment of property, sleep and repose, and the quality of the environment. (Ord. O2002-105 § 1)

8.15.020 Public nuisance and disturbance noises.

It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from said property, sound that is a public nuisance. The following sources of sound are defined to be public nuisances, except to the extent that they may be specifically exempted by other provisions of this chapter:

(1) Frequent, repetitive or continuous noise in connection with the starting, operation, repair, rebuilding or testing of any motor vehicle, motorcycle, off-highway vehicle or internal combustion engine so as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of owners or possessors of real property; provided, however, this subsection shall not apply to airplanes and boats;

(2) Frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren attached to a motor vehicle, except as a warning of danger or as specifically permitted or required by law;

(3) Any loud and raucous noise which unreasonably interferes with the use of any business or residential property, school or place of religious worship;

(4) Sound from motor vehicle public address or audio systems, such as, but not limited to, tape players, radios and compact disc players, operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than 75 feet from the source; and

(5) Sound from audio equipment, such as, but not limited to, tape players, radios and compact disc players, whether portable or placed in a fixed location, operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than 75 feet from the source.

The foregoing provisions shall not apply to regularly scheduled events at parks or stadiums, such as public address systems for baseball games or park concerts, or to community festivals or permitted parades. (Ord. O2002-105 § 2)

8.15.030 Penalty for violation.

Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be subject to a civil fine not to exceed $250.00 for a first offense. For second and subsequent offenses within any 12-consecutive-month period, the person shall be subject to a civil fine not to exceed $1,000. (Ord. O2002-105 § 3)