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Quiet Hours & Noise Rules in Seattle, Washington
Confirm quiet hours, decibel limits, construction schedules, and reporting steps so you can keep the peace in your neighbourhood.
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Default quiet hours: 22:00-07:00 (residential exterior nighttime period 45 dBA Leq)
Weekends/holidays: 22:00-09:00
Construction weekdays: 07:00-22:00 (general); impact work 08:00-17:00; some zones end at 19:00
Construction weekends: 09:00-22:00 (general); impact work 09:00-17:00; some zones end at 19:00
Seattle sets exterior residential limits of 55 dBA by day and 45 dBA at night. Typical construction is allowed 07:00-22:00 (weekdays) and 09:00-22:00 (weekends/holidays), with tighter hours in certain zones and for impact equipment. See SMC 25.08.
Residential quiet hours
22:00-07:00 (residential exterior nighttime period 45 dBA Leq)
Weekends & holidays: 22:00-09:00
Decibel limits
55 dBA daytime / 45 dBA night
Measured inside receiving residence.
Construction hours
07:00-22:00 (general); impact work 08:00-17:00; some zones end at 19:00
Weekends: 09:00-22:00 (general); impact work 09:00-17:00; some zones end at 19:00
Lawn equipment
Not specified
Includes gas-powered blowers, mowers, trimmers.
Party & music rules
Loud parties/voices/horns handled by Seattle Police; all sources must comply with residential limits at the receiver.
Typical fines
Varies by section and enforcement track (SDCI citations / SPD enforcement)
Escalating penalties for repeat violations.
Noise enforcement & reporting
Call or report via SDCI Noise Enforcement (construction/mechanical) or SPD non-emergency for parties/voices. Provide dates, times, and source details so dispatchers can prioritise the call. Anonymous complaints are accepted but detailed contact information helps with follow-up.
- Document the issue (record short clips, note times, and track duration for at least two nights if possible).
- Share a polite note with the neighbour or property manager. See the message templates below.
- Submit a complaint via https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/about-us/who-we-are/noise-enforcement or call SDCI Noise Enforcement (construction/mechanical) or SPD non-emergency for parties/voices. Ask for the incident number for reference.
- If the noise continues, follow up with enforcement referencing the incident number. Keep your documentation for any tribunal or landlord board filings.
Ready-to-send messages
Neighbour note
Hi - Seattle's nighttime residential limit is 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (to 9 a.m. on weekends/holidays). Could you lower the volume late at night? Thank you!
Landlord / property manager
Hello - We're hearing recurring noise that seems to exceed SMC 25.08 nighttime limits. Please address this with the tenant/contractor; I can share a log if helpful.
Always confirm with the latest official notices or municipal postings before making plans.
Official bylaw source
Source: Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08 - Noise Control
This summary reflects updates verified on . Always confirm with the latest municipal notices before acting.
Tips for quieter living
- Confirm zoning: multifamily/neighborhood commercial zones restrict construction to 07:00-19:00.
- Identify 'impact' work (jackhammers, etc.) with tighter 08:00-17:00 / 09:00-17:00 windows.
- Provide address, contractor name, and exact times when filing with SDCI.
Frequently asked questions
Answers are summarized from the city bylaw for quick reference. For the full context, follow the official links below.