Under this act, night hours are defined from 11 pm to 7 am, and councils have the authority to issue warning notices if noise exceeds permitted levels during this time. The acceptable noise levels are: 34 dBA (decibels adjusted) if the background noise level is no more than 24 dBA.
If you're experiencing loud and disorderly neighborhood noise, you should call the King County Sheriff's non-emergency line at 206-296-3311. If it is a construction matter, you should call the Permitting Division at 206-296-6600.
Any noise exceeding 70 dB is considered disturbing. Residential limits usually start at 60 or 55 dB (the equivalent noise of a regular vacuum cleaner).
Use your discretion. You can certainly go knock on their door, and tell them their noise is bothering you - in a polite way. You guys will most likely sort it out if you approach them in a way that isn't rude.
Boundary noise limits for factory premises Types of affected premisesMaximum permissible noise levels (reckoned as an equivalent continuous noise level over 5 minutes) in decibels (dBA) Noise Sensitive Premises 65 60 Residential Premises 70 65 Commercial Premises 75 70 Factory Premises 75 701 more row •
Specifically, residential properties can't exceed an average one-hour sound level of 60 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. During the day, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., residential properties can't exceed an average sound level of 65 decibels.
Most local noise ordinances designate "quiet hours"—for example, from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and until 8 or 9 a.m. on weekends. So, running a power mower might be permitted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, but not at 7 a.m. Some universally disturbing sounds are commonly banned or restricted.
This prohibition generally applies between the hours of p.m. and a.m., and all day Sunday for construction noise. Exemptions: There are specific types of noises specifically exempted from the County Code and are outlined in Chapter 8.24. 020.