Noise ordinances › Tacoma, WA

Tacoma noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: October 5, 2026

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Quiet hours in Tacoma

Tacoma's main clock is Table 1 in 8.122.060: the allowed increase over ambient sound is 10 dBA outdoors and 6 dBC indoors from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and 5 dBA outdoors and 3 dBC indoors from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; impulsive sound may not rise 15 dB(A) or more above ambient when there are fewer than ten impulses per hour between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., or fewer than four within one hour between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (8.122.060(B)). Construction and demolition, excluding emergency work, may not be performed between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays or between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends and federal holidays, but after-hours work on weekdays and weekends is allowed if no sound from it exceeds the 8.122.060(A) limits (8.122.070). Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on or near the public streets is a public disturbance noise "particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.", or at any time and place so as to unreasonably disturb owners or possessors of real property (8.12.060(C)). The other public disturbance noises in 8.12.060, including sound plainly audible within any dwelling unit and sound from a sound reproduction device plainly audible 50 feet from the source, have no time band and apply at all hours.

Decibel limits

Yes, but relative to ambient rather than absolute. 8.122.060(A), Table 1, "Maximum permissible sound level in excess of the ambient sound level", for continuous sound attributable to any source, measured at or within a receiving property: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 10 dBA outdoors and 6 dBC indoors; 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., 5 dBA outdoors and 3 dBC indoors. Impulsive sound (8.122.060(B)): an increase of 15 dB(A) or more above ambient is prohibited when there are fewer than ten impulses per hour (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) or fewer than four within one hour (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.); with more impulses, Table 1 applies. Measurement (8.122.050): a sound level meter and calibrator recertified annually, a field calibration check before and after every set of measurements, readings in LMax as equipment allows, total sound measured for a minimum of three 30-second intervals within a 30-minute period, and impulsive sound measured on A-weighting with fast response from any point within the receiving property, except that the A-weighting requirement does not apply to impulsive sound from amplified sources measured indoors; the ambient level may be determined from measurements at a comparable site nearby (8.122.010). Commercial music (8.122.080): music originating from or in connection with a commercial establishment, enterprise or activity approved through any City permit or license may not cause a 6 dB(A) or more, or 6 dB(C) or more, increase above ambient as measured inside any receiving property dwelling unit, and music from a commercial establishment or enterprise may not be plainly audible from a distance of at least 100 feet in any direction from its property line. Construction is governed by 8.122.070 rather than Table 1 (8.122.060(D)). Where another part of the code sets decibel limits for a particular source, device or activity, the 8.122.060 limits do not apply to it (8.122.060(C)); park permits for musical acts or bands must cap sound at 90 decibels at or beyond 50 feet from the act and at the park boundary (8.27.050). Rules with no meter: 8.12.060 (sound plainly audible within any dwelling unit; sound from a sound reproduction device plainly audible 50 feet from the source; frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds from any building, structure, apartment or condominium, such as audio equipment, musical instruments, band sessions or social gatherings, that unreasonably interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of owners or possessors of real property; audio equipment audible more than 50 feet from the source when not operated on the operator's property) and 11.05.131 (a vehicle sound system plainly audible at a distance greater than 50 feet while the vehicle is driven or stopped in obedience to a traffic control device).

What the ordinance actually says

§ 8.122.060(A): "No person shall make, continue, or cause or permit to be made or continued any continuous sound attributable to any source that increases the total sound level above the ambient sound level by the limits in Table 1 when measured at or within a receiving property:"

§ 8.122.070(B)–(C): "Construction and demolition activity, excluding emergency work, shall not be performed between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays or between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends and federal holidays, except as otherwise provided in this code." / "After hours work on weekdays and weekends shall be allowed, provided that no sound created by the work exceeds the limits in Section 8.122.060(a)."

§ 8.12.060(A): "It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow originating from the property, sound that is:" / "An unreasonable noise, as defined in § 8.122.010 TMC; or" / "Any sound that is plainly audible (as that term is defined in Chapter 8.122 TMC) within any dwelling unit; or" / "Any sound produced by a sound reproduction device (as that term is defined in Section 8.122.010) that is plainly audible (as that term is defined in Section 8.122.010 TMC) 50 feet from the source of the sound;"

§ 8.122.010: "“Plainly audible sound” means any sound for which any of the content of that sound, such as, but not limited to, comprehensible musical rhythms, is communicated to a person using his or her unaided hearing faculties. For the purposes of the enforcement of this code, the detection of any component of sound, including, but not limited to, the rhythmic bass by a person using his or her unaided hearing faculties is sufficient to verify plainly audible sound."

§ 8.122.080(B): "No person shall make or cause or permit to be made or caused any music originating from or in connection with the operation of any commercial establishment or enterprise when the level of sound attributable to such music is plainly audible from a distance of at least 100 feet in any direction from the property line of the commercial establishment."

§ 8.12.065: "Any person, entity, firm, or corporation convicted of violating the provisions of Section 8.12.060 of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which shall be 90 days in jail or a fine of $1,000.00, or both such fine and imprisonment."

Quoted verbatim from the official codified text (Tacoma Municipal Code (TMC), Title 8 "Public Safety", Chapter 8.122 "Noise Enforcement", §§ 8.122.005 through 8.122.160 (Ord. 27673 Ex. A, 2008-02-19; repealed and reenacted by Ord. 28293 Ex. A, 2015-04-14; the history notes also cite Ord. 28255 Ex. B, 2014-11-04, for § 8.122.010, Ord. 27939 Ex. A, 2010-11-02, for §§ 8.122.140 and 8.122.150, and Ord. 28272 Ex. E, 2014-12-16, for § 8.122.150): 8.122.010 definitions, 8.122.020 powers of the Director, 8.122.050 measurement procedures, 8.122.060 general provisions (Table 1), 8.122.070 construction, 8.122.080 music, 8.122.090 variances, 8.122.100 and 8.122.110 civil penalties, 8.122.130 hearings, 8.122.140 exemptions, 8.122.150 nuisance regulation preserved. Also Chapter 8.12 "Disorderly Conduct": § 8.12.060 public disturbance noises (Ord. 24464, 1989; Ord. 26949, 2002; Ord. 27673 Ex. D, 2008; Ord. 27956 Ex. A, 2010-12-14; Subst. Ord. 28922, 2023-12-05; ratified and reconfirmed by Ord. 28943, 2024-01-16), § 8.12.065 penalties, § 8.12.070 compression brakes; § 11.05.131 automotive sound systems (Ord. 27956 Ex. B, 2010-12-14); § 17.02.140 animal noise (Ord. 28922 Subst. Ex. A, 2023-12-05; ratified by Ord. 28943, 2024-01-16); §§ 8.27.050 and 8.27.060 parks. Text read on eCode360, the City's code host, which states "Includes legislation through 2026-08-25"; its New Laws list holds one uncodified ordinance (No. 29077, Shoreline Master Program), which does not touch noise.). Verified against the live code on 2026-10-05. Ordinances get amended — before acting on a specific provision, check the linked official code. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.

How to file a noise complaint in Tacoma

Tacoma FIRST 311 takes noise reports: dial 3-1-1 inside Tacoma city limits or (253) 591-5000 from anywhere, use the Tacoma FIRST 311 app for Android or Apple devices, or file online under "Report a Crime, Noise Complaint, Other Non-Emergency Police Services", whose categories include "Noise Complaint Request" (Department: Police), "Noise Complaint - Commercial and Building Concerns" and "Construction Noise Outside Allowable Hours" (both Department: Planning & Development (PDS-CC)), each with an estimated completion of 14 business days; the same section lists the "Tacoma Police Department Non-Emergency Phone Number: (253) 287-4455". The City's Regulatory Compliance page says Code Compliance "enforces the Noise Ordinance, Nuisance Code, and the Minimum Building and Structures Code" and handles regularly occurring noises such as air handlers and other machinery (Code Compliance: (253) 591-5049, CodeCompliance@tacoma.gov); "For in-progress noises related to disturbance of the peace, contact the Tacoma Police Department non-emergency line at (253) 287-4455"; and animal noise such as barking dogs is enforced by Animal Control at (253) 627-7387. The Animal Control barking-dog page says to report through Tacoma FIRST 311 ("Make a Request", then "Animal Issue"), call 311 from within city limits, or mail in a Barking Statement Form. Under the code, the Police Department and other City agencies designated by the Director may enforce Chapter 8.122 (8.122.020(D)), and animal-noise enforcement may be undertaken only on a written complaint from three or more affected persons (17.02.140(C)). Sources: https://tacoma.gov/services/tacoma-first-311-services/ and https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/planning-and-development-services/regulatory-compliance/ and https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/police/animal-control/barking-or-dangerous-dogs/.

Step by step, with what to log and what to expect after you file: how to file a noise complaint in Tacoma. For the general playbook — documenting the problem, talking to a landlord or HOA, when 311 beats 911 — see the noise complaints guide.

Worth knowing

(1) Tacoma's limits are relative: the measurement compares the source with the ambient sound at the receiving property, so the same reading can comply on a busy arterial and violate on a quiet street; "ambient" excludes the source under investigation and extraneous sounds (8.122.010). (2) Two enforcement tracks. Chapter 8.122 is civil (8.122.100): a Notice of Violation gives 18 calendar days to correct (or a noise control plan timeline), and if the person fails to correct, fails to submit an acceptable noise control plan, violates the plan, or otherwise violates the chapter within 12 calendar months of a previous notice, civil penalties are $250, then $500, then $1,000, then $2,000 for the fourth and later penalties within 12 months (8.122.110(F)); after two civil penalties in one year, City permits or licenses for the site may be suspended until an approved noise control plan is complied with, and once penalties reach $1,000 a Certificate of Complaint may be filed with the Pierce County Auditor against the property's title; owners, agents, contract buyers, tenants and lessees are jointly and severally responsible (8.122.100(A)); a hearing before the Hearing Examiner must be requested in writing with the City Clerk within 10 calendar days (8.122.130). Public disturbance noises under 8.12.060 are criminal: a misdemeanor with a maximum of 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine or both, a $500 fine on a first conviction ($250 of it not suspended or deferred) and $700 for each later violation ($300 not suspended or deferred) (8.12.065). (3) Broken cross-references in 8.12.060 as published on eCode360: it relies on "unreasonable noise" and "sound reproduction device" as defined in 8.122.010, but neither term appears in 8.122.010's current definitions; it also refers commercial music to "TMC § 8.122.100", which is the penalty section, while the music rule is 8.122.080. (4) Construction is governed by 8.122.070 rather than Table 1 (8.122.060(D)), and 8.122.070 applies the Table 1 limits only to after-hours work; construction devices must use a muffler if one is commonly available (8.122.070(A)). (5) Exempt from the Chapter 8.122 standards (8.122.140): agricultural activities; unamplified bells, chimes or carillons used with ongoing religious or school activities or as a function of a City landmark; emergency energy release and signal devices; emergency work at the site; the National Warning System; aircraft operations; parades and public events permitted under Chapter 11.15; animals (regulated under Title 17) and motor vehicles (regulated under Chapter 8.12); regattas and boat races authorized under Chapter 9.35; law-enforcement shooting ranges; trains; events at City facilities such as the Tacoma Dome, Cheney Stadium, the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center and the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts (with limits set in license agreements); emergency sirens; portable or stand-by generators during outages; and commercial watercraft with their loading and unloading. Nuisance regulation of noise from any source is preserved (8.122.150). (6) Variances of limited duration come from the Director, who may charge a fee and must state dates, times and sound limits at the nearest affected residential property (8.122.090). (7) Barking: an animal is a public disturbance only if its noise unreasonably disturbs three or more persons residing at separate residences in the same community or neighborhood for more than 15 minutes in any one-hour period, documented by three or more separate episodes in a sequential seven-day period; it is a Class 1 civil infraction, and the animal may be seized and impounded if the disturbance recurs after two written warnings or civil-infraction notices (or one of each) within a calendar year (17.02.140). (8) Vehicle sound systems plainly audible at a distance greater than 50 feet are a class 1 civil infraction not to exceed $250 when the vehicle is driven or stopped at a traffic control device; sound from parked vehicles falls under 8.12.060 (11.05.131). Motor vehicle compression ("jake") brakes may not be used within city limits; use in an emergency to protect persons or property is an affirmative defense, municipal fire department vehicles are exempt, and a violation is a misdemeanor with a fine of $100 to $1,000 (8.12.070). (9) The public disturbance noise provisions of 8.12.060 "shall not apply to regularly scheduled events at parks", such as public address systems for baseball games or park concerts; any public address system or other sound-amplifying device in a park needs a specific permit (8.27.060). (10) Agency names have drifted: 8.122.010 still defines the Director as the Director of Neighborhood and Community Services, while the City's Regulatory Compliance page places Code Compliance, which says it enforces the Noise Ordinance, in Planning and Development Services.

Document it before you report it

Tacoma's limits are measured numbers, so a reading is direct evidence of how loud it really is. Take a quick reading with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser and records nothing — and check how loud your block is on the Tacoma noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.