EDITOR’S NOTE: This post has been updated with a few minor corrections, along with new information from Barb Dobkin.
From our sister site The White Center Blog:
By Scott Schaefer
Founder/Publisher/Editor
Live music is a draw for many, but when sound carries beyond a venue’s walls, it can raise concerns among nearby residents about noise and neighborhood impact.
This has been happening in White Center recently, as months of resident complaints over loud concerts at Tim’s Tavern in White Center have culminated in a zoning violation issued by King County, along with a campaign to defend the business.
Located at 9655 16th Ave SW, the popular venue opened in March 2023, and has since hosted numerous live music events that some nearby residents say disrupts the peace of the surrounding neighborhood. Despite repeated complaints from residents and engagement with King County officials, the outdoor performances have continued amid ongoing discussions.
An enforcement letter from King County’s Permitting Division, dated Feb. 1, 2024, cited the business for operating an “outdoor performance center” without permits and in violation of allowed uses in the White Center business district. The letter also noted unpermitted structures and other code violations on the property.
“We confirmed the outdoor live music is NOT permitted per zoning,” King County Permitting Director Jim Chan wrote. “We also observed unpermitted structures and expansions at the business. We will open a code enforcement case and investigate.”
Tim’s Tavern Responds
Mason Reed, owner of Tim’s, has reportedly encouraged supporters via a website to contact the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) regarding noise-related complaints.
“We also believe that a small, unelected group — the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) — does not speak for our community,” an open letter states. “Their efforts to silence Tim’s and limit outdoor music do not reflect the views of the artists, residents, and small business owners who actually live and work here.”
Reed said his team took over the property in 2023 under the belief that the venue was a permitted live music site, as its previous tenant Drunky’s BBQ hosted similar outdoor events, claiming this inconsistency reflects selective enforcement practices.
“What started as a couple of noise complaints has now escalated into a full enforcement case,” Reed told us, referencing King County Code Enforcement Case ENFR24-0051. He noted the case includes landscaping, building code, and grading violations that predate his ownership. “We did not build these features. But now we’re expected to bring everything into compliance, and we’ve received no clear path forward from the County.”
NHUAC Members Frustrated
Barb Dobkin, Vice President of the Board of the NHUAC, expressed her frustration in a recent interview with The White Center Blog about this issue and its prolonged response time, noting it took nearly 10 months for officials to recognize the zoning violation, despite ongoing noise complaints.
“Many of us in the White Center neighborhood have lost the ability to enjoy our homes,” Dobkin wrote. “Night after night of loud raucous music, feedback from speakers, and people yelling in microphones has created an untenable situation.”
Attempts to mitigate the issue, such as instructing residents to repeatedly call the non-emergency line, have proven ineffective.
Dobkin explained that after a regulatory review in September, 2024 determined Tim’s was operating as an outdoor performance center without proper zoning, the business was informed it could no longer host outdoor music. The tavern underwent renovations and moved its music indoors by early March, resolving noise complaints from nearby residents.
Dobkin also addressed a misinterpreted comment about the owner offering an air conditioner, saying it was not meant as a dismissal of neighbors’ concerns. “It wasn’t that he said to me, ‘Put in an air conditioner and shut up,’ – that was the implication that I had,” she said.
She emphasized that neighbors simply wanted the music brought indoors and noted that similar noise complaints never arose under the previous business, Drunky’s Two Shoe BBQ.
The King County noise ordinance states that noise “must not be a public nuisance noise that unreasonably disturbs a community or neighborhood.” Residents claim enforcement has been lax, but King County Sheriff’s Office Deputies often lacked equipment, such as decibel meters, or were unavailable to respond.
Reed outlined several mitigation steps Tim’s Tavern has taken to abate the issue:
- Ending outdoor music before 10 p.m.
- Moving most performances indoors, and spending nearly $100,000 on remodeling efforts, which included constructing an indoor stage, reconfiguring the interior space for live performances, and implementing some soundproofing measures — not soundproofing alone.
- Offering to install sound barriers, reorient speakers, and even buy an air conditioner for a complaining neighbor.
- Attempting a mediated sit-down meeting with neighbors, which was declined.
Despite these efforts, Reed says the business has faced harassment, intimidation, and a lack of cooperation from county officials. He expressed frustration that enforcement appears reactive, stating:
“We were told: ‘we only look into things when we get complaints.’ That feels selective at best, and targeted at worst.”
Business’ Impact on Downtown District
Reed emphasized Tim’s Tavern’s economic impact on nearby businesses and warned that shutting down the patio — which accounts for over half the venue’s service area — would harm the district.
“If we’re forced to shut it down, or relocate, it won’t just be a loss for Tim’s,” Reed said. “It’ll be another vacant building in a business district that’s already endured too much.”
Reed concluded by advocating for a zoning variance or an updated code that supports community-rooted venues. A Honeycomb investment campaign has been launched to fund legal compliance efforts, alongside a public letter of support at SaveTims.com.
The Save Tim’s campaign, as detailed on its website, which gathered over 1,500 signatures in its first 24 hours, positions the venue as a vital cultural hub in White Center, emphasizing its role in fostering community through live music. The campaign argues that outdated zoning laws are being interpreted in ways that threaten not only Tim’s Tavern but also the broader live music scene in King County.
“Live music is not a crime. It’s a community asset — and we stand together to defend it,” the website says.
As of February 2025, Tim’s Tavern relocated all regular live music performances indoors to comply with city regulations. The only exception is a free, lightly amplified outdoor show held once a week featuring The Dusty 45s on Thursdays from 6–9 p.m. The event is open to the public with no purchase required, and staff actively monitor decibel levels to ensure compliance with local noise ordinances.
crowd wthell much better……be seeing you soon White Center :):) Robert
I feel Tim’s has gone over-and-above and has taken significant steps to alleviate noise issues. The shift to the 10PM shut-down of the outside stage is the earliest of any music venue in the Pacific Northwest. This costs Tim’s significant revenue. In the past there were frequently large capacity crowds watching bands outside spending a lot of money, far past midnight. I feel it is fair and reasonable to have outdoor live music, at least 2-blocks away from residential homes, BEFORE 10PM. There is also evidence and proof that there have been noise complaints of “live music from Tim’s”, when Tim’s was actually closed with nobody on the property. Regardless, Tim’s has taken drastic measures, recently completing a 100K build-out of an indoor stage to accommodate.
If Tim’s is forced to relocate, many nearby businesses will feel the negative impact. This is a destination live-music venue and many of its patrons commute from outlying areas to attend the live shows. When in White Center they visit the neighboring restaurants, other bars and other local businesses. White Center could use MORE businesses that draw people into this wonderful neighborhood. Live music is so important for this business district and the entire music community. This is why thousands have already signed the Tim’s petition and are passionate about this.
The business owners on 16th Ave have been through enough and I hope everyone understands losing Tim’s impacts an enormous number of people.