Source: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=173-60&full=true
Timestamp: 2020-02-17 23:00:17
Document Index: 524017902

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173']

Chapter 173-60 WAC:
WACs > Title 173 > Chapter 173-60
Last Update: 12/6/00
MAXIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE LEVELS
HTMLPDF 173-60-010 Authority and purpose.
HTMLPDF 173-60-020 Definitions.
HTMLPDF 173-60-030 Identification of environments.
HTMLPDF 173-60-040 Maximum permissible environmental noise levels.
HTMLPDF 173-60-050 Exemptions.
HTMLPDF 173-60-060 Nuisance regulations not prohibited.
HTMLPDF 173-60-070 Reserved.
HTMLPDF 173-60-080 Variances and implementation schedules.
HTMLPDF 173-60-090 Enforcement policy.
HTMLPDF 173-60-100 Appeals.
HTMLPDF 173-60-110 Cooperation with local government.
HTMLPDF 173-60-120 Effective date.
PDF173-60-010
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. Vessels, as defined in RCW 88.12.010(21) and regulated for noise under chapter 88.12 RCW (Regulation of recreational vessels), shall be exempt from chapter 173-60 WAC.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.107 RCW. WSR 94-12-001 (Order 92-41), § 173-60-010, filed 5/18/94, effective 6/18/94; Order 74-32, § 173-60-010, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]
PDF173-60-020
(5) "Distribution facilities" means any facility used for distribution of commodities to final consumers, including facilities of utilities that convey water, waste water, natural gas, and electricity.
(6) "EDNA" means the environmental designation for noise abatement, being an area or zone (environment) within which maximum permissible noise levels are established.
(7) "Existing" means a process, event, or activity in an established area, producing sound subject to or exempt from this chapter, prior to the effective date of September 1, 1975.
(8) "Local government" means county or city government or any combination of the two.
(9) "Noise" means the intensity, duration and character of sounds, from any and all sources.
(10) "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, governmental body, state agency or other entity whatsoever.
(13) "Receiving property" means real property within which the maximum permissible noise levels specified herein shall not be exceeded from sources outside such property.
(14) "Sound level meter" means a device which measures sound pressure levels and conforms to Type 1 or Type 2 as specified in the American National Standards Institute Specification S1.4-1971.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.107 RCW. WSR 94-12-001 (Order 92-41), § 173-60-020, filed 5/18/94, effective 6/18/94; WSR 83-15-046 (Order DE 82-42), § 173-60-020, filed 7/19/83; Order DE 77-1, § 173-60-020, filed 6/1/77; Order 74-32, § 173-60-020, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]
PDF173-60-030
Identification of environments.
(1) Except when included within specific prior designations as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section, 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:
(ii) Multiple family living accommodations
(iii) Recreational and entertainment, (e.g., camps, parks, camping facilities, and resorts)
(iv) Community service, (e.g., orphanages, homes for the aged, hospitals, health and correctional facilities)
(b) Class B EDNA - Lands involving uses requiring protection against noise interference with speech. Typically, Class B EDNA will be the following types of property:
(i) Commercial living accommodations
(ii) Commercial dining establishments
(iii) Motor vehicle services
(iv) Retail services
(v) Banks and office buildings
(vi) Miscellaneous commercial services, property not used for human habitation
(vii) Recreation and entertainment, property not used for human habitation (e.g., theaters, stadiums, fairgrounds, and amusement parks)
(viii) Community services, property not used for human habitation (e.g., educational, religious, governmental, cultural and recreational facilities).
(c) Class C EDNA - Lands involving economic activities of such a nature that higher noise levels than experienced in other areas is normally to be anticipated. Persons working in these areas are normally covered by noise control regulations of the department of labor and industries. Uses typical of Class A EDNA are generally not permitted within such areas. Typically, Class C EDNA will be the following types of property:
(i) Storage, warehouse, and distribution facilities.
(ii) Industrial property used for the production and fabrication of durable and nondurable man-made goods
(iii) Agricultural and silvicultural property used for the production of crops, wood products, or livestock.
(d) Where there is neither a zoning ordinance in effect nor an adopted comprehensive plan, the legislative authority of local government may, by ordinance or resolution, designate specifically described EDNAs which conform to the above use criteria and, upon departmental approval, EDNAs so designated shall be as set forth in such local determination.
(e) Where no specific prior designation of EDNAs has been made, the appropriate EDNA for properties involved in any enforcement activity will be determined by the investigating official on the basis of the criteria of (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection.
(2) In areas covered by a local zoning ordinance, the legislative authority of the local government may, by ordinance or resolution designate EDNAs to conform with the zoning ordinance as follows:
(a) Residential zones - Class A EDNA
(b) Commercial zones - Class B EDNA
(c) Industrial zones - Class C EDNA
Upon approval by the department, EDNAs so designated shall be as set forth in such local determination. EDNA designations shall be amended as necessary to conform to zone changes under the zoning ordinance.
(3) In areas not covered by a local zoning ordinance but within the coverage of an adopted comprehensive plan the legislative authority of the local government may, by ordinance or resolution designate EDNAs to conform with the comprehensive plan as follows:
(a) Residential areas - Class A EDNA
(b) Commercial areas - Class B EDNA
(c) Industrial areas - Class C EDNA
Upon approval by the department EDNAs so designated shall be as set forth in such local determination. EDNA designations shall be amended as necessary to conform to changes in the comprehensive plan.
(4) The department recognizes that on certain lands, serenity, tranquillity, or quiet are an essential part of the quality of the environment and serve an important public need. Special designation of such lands with appropriate noise level standards by local government may be adopted subject to approval by the department. The director may make such special designation pursuant to the procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.04 RCW.
[Order 74-32, § 173-60-030, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]
PDF173-60-040
PDF173-60-050
PDF173-60-060
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.
[Order 74-32, § 173-60-060, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]
PDF173-60-070
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.107 RCW. WSR 00-24-134 (Order 00-24), § 173-60-070, filed 12/6/00, effective 1/6/01; WSR 94-12-001 (Order 92-41), § 173-60-070, filed 5/18/94, effective 6/18/94; Order DE 77-1, § 173-60-070, filed 6/1/77; Order 74-32, § 173-60-070, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]
PDF173-60-080
Variances and implementation schedules.
(1) Variances may be granted to any person from any particular requirement of this chapter, if findings are made that immediate compliance with such requirement cannot be achieved because of special circumstances rendering immediate compliance unreasonable in light of economic or physical factors, enroachment [encroachment] upon an existing noise source, or because of nonavailability of feasible technology or control methods. Any such variance or renewal thereof shall be granted only for the minimum time period found to be necessary under the facts and circumstances.
(2) An implementation schedule for achieving compliance with this chapter shall be incorporated into any variance issued.
(3) Variances shall be issued only upon application in writing and after providing such information as may be requested. No variance shall be issued for a period of more than 30 days except upon due notice to the public with opportunity to comment. Public hearings may be held, when substantial public interest is shown, at the discretion of the issuing agency.
(4) Sources of noise, subject to this chapter, upon which construction begins after the effective date hereof shall immediately comply with the requirements of this chapter, except in extraordinary circumstances where overriding considerations of public interest dictate the issuance of a variance.
[Order 74-32, § 173-60-080, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]
PDF173-60-090
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 a.m., 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; Order 74-32, § 173-60-090, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]
PDF173-60-100
Any person aggrieved by any decision of the department in relation to the enforcement of the maximum permissible noise levels provided for herein, the granting or denial of a variance or the approval or disapproval of a local resolution or ordinance for noise abatement and control may appeal to the pollution control hearings board pursuant to chapter 43.21B RCW under the procedures of chapter 371-08 WAC.
[Order 74-32, § 173-60-100, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]
PDF173-60-110
Cooperation with local government.
(1) The department conceives the function of noise abatement and control to be primarily the role of local government and intends actively to encourage local government to adopt measures for noise abatement and control. Wherever such measures are made effective and are being actively enforced, the department does not intend to engage directly in enforcement activities.
(2) No ordinance or resolution of any local government which imposes noise control requirements differing from those adopted by the department shall be effective unless and until approved by the director. If approval is denied, the department, following submission of such local ordinance or resolution to the department, shall deliver its statement or order of denial, designating in detail the specific provision(s) found to be objectionable and the precise grounds upon which the denial is based, and shall submit to the local government, the department's suggested modification.
(3) The department shall encourage all local governments enforcing noise ordinances pursuant to this chapter to consider noise criteria and land use planning and zoning.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.107 RCW. WSR 87-06-056 (Order 86-40), § 173-60-110, filed 3/4/87; Order 74-32, § 173-60-110, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]
PDF173-60-120
This chapter shall become effective on September 1, 1975. It is the intention of the department to periodically review the provisions hereof as new information becomes available for the purpose of making amendments as appropriate.
[Order 74-32, § 173-60-120, filed 4/22/75, effective 9/1/75.]