Council approves noise control standards

Noise ordinance approved unanimously after decibel meter demonstration, continued discussion and comment from the public

Roxanne Cooke

It’s not often that residents can listen to the popular BTO song “Takin’ Care of Business” at 75 decibels in the Sumner City Hall council chambers. Hearing any music is pretty rare, in fact.

But Monday’s council meeting was an exception. After discussions about a proposed noise ordinance yielded concerns and questions, council members requested a demonstration of a decibel meter.

That’s why Dave DeLong, with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, brought a meter to the meeting and measured the sound level of music played on a boom box.

It proved to be beneficial. The Sumner City Council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance after two hours of demonstration and discussion.

“The demonstration was really helpful,” said Councilman Steve Allsop.

The noise ordinance provides a measurable standard for noise levels in the city, limiting the sound that can be delivered to neighboring properties. The maximum decibel levels are based on the type of zoning, including residential, commercial and industrial, and the levels come from a section of Washington Administrative Code.

Under the ordinance, a residential property owner can only deliver 55 decibels to another residential property, and a commercial business is limited to delivering 57 decibels to residential properties. The level of sound is to be measured from any point within the property of the complainant — the ordinance is complaint-driven. All decibel levels are reduced by 10 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“Nuisance noises,” such as music played repetitively and continuously, can be regulated by both the decibel standards as well as subjective measures. This means that even though a neighbor who frequently plays music is not breaking the decibel rules, they may still be violating the code if the music disturbs the peace and repose of neighbors.

For the demo during the council meeting, a stereo was placed a few feet in front of the council dais so members could hear what 45, 55, 57, 60, 65 and 70 decibels sounded like close to the source. The boom box was then moved to the back of the room — approximately 30 feet away from council — where the same levels were reached, but still measured from the dais.

Though it was an unscientific study, council learned than 45 decibels sounded like 37 from across the room. Fifty-seven decibels was reduced to 44, 60 decibels to 54, 65 to 58 and 70 to 64.

The point was to demonstrate that a person can be playing their music at 75 decibels, but a neighbor may only hear it at 55, for example. Distance and barriers such as fences, windows and walls can decrease that level as well. Normal conversation falls into the 50-65 decibel range.

Three residents spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting to support the ordinance. Earle Stuard, who spoke during the last meeting, returned to comment further.

Stuard has lived on Elm Street for six years and is located next door to industrial businesses. He said he sleeps with earplugs most of the year because of idling truck noise and other machinery sounds.

“I appreciate the work you’ve done,” Stuard told the council. “Being a homeowner, this ordinance allows me to have a footing against industry.”

Stuard added that he has received support from the Sumner Police Department.

“Enforcement would be critical in helping us,” he said.

The council agreed to review the ordinance and its effectiveness in six months. The document has been in the works for more than a year, so some council members expressed thanks to the city staff for their hard work.

“It was a long process,” said Councilmember Matt Richardson.

Allsop admitted not everyone will be satisfied with the ordinance, but it’s a good start for now.

“It’s not perfect,” Allsop said. “But it strikes a good balance.”