Arnada Neighborhood Association

Noise Abatement Information

Community Noise Monitoring

Todays communities are demanding more and more concessions from their industrial neighbors. Noise is regarded by many as a significant pollutant. Where complaints are received from the community, noise monitoring can be implemented to identify the current noise levels. It is possible to assess the contribution from industry. If the contribution is excessive, either in relation to local, state, provincial, or national standards, then noise control mitigations might need to be implemented. HFP carries out a large number of residential community surveys, either in response to noise complaints, or requested by clients who wish to build new or expanded facilities.

Health Dept. Assists with Noise

If you cannot find help from our own city, try the health deptartment, Environmental Health Division, 397-8428. Click on Health Dept. Link for updated information.
This division is responsible for protecting the public from exposure to hazardous substances and preventing the transmission of environmentally-based diseases. This division also provides for plan reviews and consultation for subdivision development, inspections of schools and recreation areas, INVESTIGATION OF NOISE AND OTHER COMPLAINTS... Go to Health Dept. Link

Maximum Environm. Noise Levels

This Section is to present excerpts from WAC noise protection codes.
WAC 173-60-010 Authority and Purpose. These rules are adopted pursuant to chapter 70.107 RCW, the Noise Control Act of 1974, in order to establish maximum noise levels permissible in identified environments, and thereby to provide use standards relating to the reception of noise within such environments.

WAC 173-60-030 Identification of environments. (1) Except when included within specific prior designation as provided in subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this sections, the EDNA of any property shall be based on the following typical uses, taking into consideration the present, future, and historical usage, as well as the usage of adjacent and other lands in the vicinity.
(a) Class A EDNA - Lands where human beings reside and sleep. Typically, Class A EDNA will be the following types of property used for human habitation:
(i) Residential (ii) Multiple family living accomodations.

WAC 173-60-040 Maximum permissible environmental noise levels. (1) No person shall cause or permit noise to intrude into the property of another person which noise exceeds the maximum permissible noise levels set forth below in this section.

EDNA of .......................................... EDNA of
NOISE SOURCE......................RECEIVING PROPERTY
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.......................................Class A.............Class B.............Class C
CLASS A ....................55 dBA ............57 dBA............ 60 dBA
CLASS B ....................57....................60 .................. 65
CLASS C ....................60....................65 .................. 70

(2)(a) The noise limitations establishe in the Noise Source Table for Class A EDNA:
55 dBA. (b) Between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am the noise limitations of the foregoing table shall be reduced by 10 dBA for receiving property within Class A EDNAs. (c) At any hour of the day or night the applicable noise limitations in (a) and (b) above may be exceeded for any receiving property by no more than: (i) 5 dBA for a total of 15 minutes in any one-hour period; or (ii) 10 dBA for a total of 5 minutes in any one-hour period; or (iii) 15 dBA for a total of 1.5 minutes in any one-hour period.

WAC 173-60-050 Exemptions. (1) The following shall be exempt from the provisions of WAC 173-060-040 between the hours of 7:00 am. and 10:00 pm.: (a) Sound originating from residential property relating to temporary projects for the maintenance or repair of homes, grounds and appurtenances. (d) Sounds created by aircraft engine testing and maintenance not related to flight operations: Provided . That aircraft testing and maintenance shall be conducted at remote sites whenever possible. (e) Sounds created by the installation or repair of essential utility services.
(2) The following shall be exempt from theprovisions of WAC 173-060-040 (2) (b): (a) Noise from electrical substations and existing stationary equipment used in the conveyance of water, waste water, and natural gas by a utility. (b) Noise from existing industrial installations which exceed the standards contained in these regulations and which, over the previous three years, have consistently operated in excess of 15 hours per day as a consequence of process necessity and/or demonstrated routine normal operation.
(3) The following shall be exempt from the provisions of WAC 173-60-040, except insofar as such provisions relate to the reception of noise within Class A EDNAs between the hours of 10 pm. and 7 am. (a) Sounds originating from temporary construction sites and (b) from forest harvesting and silvicultural activity. (4) The following shall be exempt from all provisions of WAC 173-06-040: (a) Sounds created by motor vehicles when regulated by chapter 173-62 WAC. (b) Sounds originating from aircraft in flight and sounds that originate at airports which are directly related to flight operations. (c) Sounds created by surface carriers engaged in interstate commerce by railroad. (d) Sounds created by warning devices not operating continuously for more than five minutes, or bells, chimes and carillons. (e) Sounds created by safety and protective devices where noise suppression would defeat the intent of the device or is not economically feasible. (f) Sounds created by by emergency equipment and work necessary in the interests of law enforcement or for health safety or welfare of the community. (h) Sounds originating from officially sanctioned parades and other public events. (j) Sounds created by watercraft. (l) Sounds caused by natural phenomena and unamplified human voices. (m) Sounds created by motor vehicles, licensed or unlicensed, when operated off public highways EXCEPT when such sounds are received in Class A EDNAs.
(6) Nothing in these exemptions is intended to preclude the department from requiring installation of the best available noise abatement technology consistent with economic feasibility. The establishment of any such requirement shall be subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.04 RCW.

WAC 173-60-060 Nuisance regulations not prohibited. Nothing in this chapter or the exemptions provided herein, shall be construed as preventing local government from regulating noise from any source as a nuisance. Local resolutions, ordinances, rules or regulations regulating noise on such a basis shall not be deemed inconsistent with this chapter by the department.

WAC 173-60-090 Enforcement policy. Noise measurement for the purposes of enforcing the provisions of WAC 173-060-040 shall be measured in dBA with a sound level meter with the point of measurement being at any point within the receiving property. Such enforcement shall be undertaken only upon receipt of a complaint made by a person who resides, owns property, or is employed in the area affected by the noise complained of, EXCEPT for parks, recreational areas, and wildlife sanctuaries. For enforcement purposes pursuant to RCW 70.107.050, each day, defined as the 24-hour period beginning at 12:01 am., in which violation of the noise control regulations (chapter 173-60 WAC) occurs, shall constitute a separate violation. (Order DE 76-5, 173-60-090, filed 2/5/76.

Links

Acoustical Consultants
SW WA Health District