Driving with the windows down and music playing is a summer tradition. But if the volume’s too loud, can you get pulled over? Here’s what Washington law has to say.
WA cities limit car stereo noise
With a few exceptions, noise laws in Washington are decided by local governments, not the state. While most cities’ rules regulating how much noise your car speaker can make are similar, they do differ slightly.
- Seattle, for example, limits the noise produced by a car stereo to anything that can be “clearly heard” from 75 feet away.
- Tacoma law prohibits stereos from playing music that’s audible from more than 50 feet away.
- Other cities that fall into the 50 feet camp include Bellingham, Olympia and Richland.
- Kennewick law also specifies that car stereos can’t be audible from more than 50 feet away, adding that they can’t produce frequencies under 138 Hz or be amplified by a subwoofer either.
- Pasco, meanwhile, uses the 75-foot standard.
How much is a city ticket for loud music?
The cost of a ticket for playing music too loudly in your car varies from city to city. Richland law directs officers to warn first-time offenders before leveling a fine for any subsequent violations. But in other cities, including Bellingham, Pasco and Kennewick, the fine for a first-time offense can reach up to $250. In Seattle, Olympia and Tacoma a ticket could cost you up to $500.
What is state law in WA on loud music?
While state law doesn’t regulate how loud car speakers can be, it does set limits on how much noise a vehicle can make in general. On a public highway, a car is considered too loud if it’s producing a noise over 78 decibels, as measured from 50 feet away, in an area with a speed limit over 45 miles per hour. In areas with a speed limit under 45, the noise limit drops to 72 decibels.
