TO: Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Carol Helland |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Seraphie Allen |
Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Jason Lynch |
Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Jeff Churchill |
Long Range Planning Manager |
TITLE:
title
Amendments to RMC 6.36 Noise Standards
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
City staff recommend that the Council adopt an ordinance amending Redmond Municipal Code (RMC) 6.36 Noise Standards. These standards regulate noise for the purpose of public health, safety, and general welfare. The standards establish maximum noise levels by noise zone, prohibitions, exemptions, and measurement techniques.
The updates address several issues related to noise regulations, including:
• Addressing property maintenance activities.
• Removing duplicative items.
• Addressing proper location in the RMC to ensure enforcement.
• Addressing noise from gun ranges.
• Addressing the assembly and dismantling of tower cranes.
• Updating obsolete zoning district names.
• Re-organizing the exemptions section.
• Establishing requirements to post construction noise hours at construction sites.
• Other organizational updates for clarity.
Companion amendments are proposed to RMC 1.14 Enforcement and Penalties, and RMC 6.34.070 Loading Operations.
Since the May 26 study session on this topic, staff have made the following revisions to the recommended amendments:
• Changed “noise mitigation operating agreement” to “development agreement” - this was requested by the Interlake Sporting Association and City staff agree it is appropriate (see RMC 6.36.050.D).
• Disconnected agreement timeline from business license renewal timeline. The two processes are independent and should run independently (see RMC 6.36.050.D).
• Distinguished between property maintenance by owners and property maintenance by contractors (see RMC 6.36.050.B).
See Attachment A.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Comprehensive Plan policies LU-9 concerning adverse impacts, and NE-92 through NE-94 concerning noise regulations and mitigation.
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
Chapter 70A.20 RCW authorizes local governments to adopt noise standards.
OUTCOMES:
The outcome of these amendments will be noise standards that address significant growth in Redmond since the standards were last updated, clarity, enforcement, and alignment with state law.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Q4 2025 - Q2 2026.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Online questionnaire, e-newsletter, stakeholder engagement.
• Feedback Summary:
Most of the feedback received was about noise from gun ranges. Two themes emerged: (1) opposition from Interlake Sporting Association (ISA) members to proposed restrictions on shooting range hours, emphasizing collaboration and sound mitigation instead of time limits; and (2) support from nearby residents for limiting or eliminating weekend/evening shooting hours, citing impacts on family life, sleep, and outdoor use. Additional comments addressed citywide noise issues (traffic, landscaping equipment, park events) and enforcement concerns. See Attachment A for details.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
The total value of the Community and Economic Development offer is $5,350,743. Staff time to support these amendments is drawn from that budget.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000304 - Community and Economic Development
Budget Priority:
Vibrant and Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
5/5/2026 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Provide Direction |
|
5/26/2026 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
8/3/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
On June 24th, the ISA appealed the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold determination issued in conjunction with the Noise Code amendment. The City Council has delegated the responsibility for holding the open record hearing under the City’s SEPA procedures to the Hearing Examiner. Following the hearing, the Examiner will provide a recommendation to the City Council for final decision. The decision of the City Council is quasi-judicial and governed by the appearance of fairness doctrine. The code amendment process can continue while the appeal is pending, but City Council cannot adopt the final code amendment ordinance until the appeal process is complete or the appeal is withdrawn.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If not approved the code will not be updated and existing issues will not be resolved.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Recommended Amendments to RMC 6.36
Attachment B: Council Issues Matrix