Now I get to the sticky wicket part, showing what noise level is an infraction. The WAC (code) that's being referenced was written back in 1972 when federal, state, and local governments were beginning to regulate pollution of all sorts. With this early noise standard they developed what I call a "dosing" scheme. It is time based. Basically, a person can withstand a quiet noise dose for a long period time and a loud noise dose for a short period of time.
More specifically, WAC 173-60 sets the standards for residential noise in parts of an hour like this:
During day time hours: (7am to 10pm)
Continuous noise coming on to your property can be no louder than 55 dBA.
For up to 15 minutes per hour the noise level can be no louder than 60 dBA.
For up to 5 minutes per hour the noise level can be no louder than 65 dBA.
For up to 1 minute per hour the noise level can be no louder than 70 dBA.
For night time hours take the same scheme and subtract 10 dBA from each level.
Continuous noise coming on to your property can be no louder than 45 dBA.
For up to 15 minutes per hour the noise level can be no louder than 50 dBA.
For up to 5 minutes per hour the noise level can be no louder than 55 dBA.
For up to 1 minute per hour the noise level can be no louder than 60 dBA.
*Note: the "A" weighted decibel scale, aka. dBA is a logarithmic scale. A difference
of 10 dBA is perceived by people as a doubling of loudness !!!
More specifically, WAC 173-60 sets the standards for residential noise in parts of an hour like this:
During day time hours: (7am to 10pm)
Continuous noise coming on to your property can be no louder than 55 dBA.
For up to 15 minutes per hour the noise level can be no louder than 60 dBA.
For up to 5 minutes per hour the noise level can be no louder than 65 dBA.
For up to 1 minute per hour the noise level can be no louder than 70 dBA.
For night time hours take the same scheme and subtract 10 dBA from each level.
Continuous noise coming on to your property can be no louder than 45 dBA.
For up to 15 minutes per hour the noise level can be no louder than 50 dBA.
For up to 5 minutes per hour the noise level can be no louder than 55 dBA.
For up to 1 minute per hour the noise level can be no louder than 60 dBA.
*Note: the "A" weighted decibel scale, aka. dBA is a logarithmic scale. A difference
of 10 dBA is perceived by people as a doubling of loudness !!!
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