Residents living around the southern portion of Lake Tapps may find their summer a little quieter next year as the Bonney Lake City Council is expected to pass an ordinance aimed at cutting down the noise.

The council on Tuesday was scheduled to vote on an ordinance that will cap at 75 decibels the legal volume of boats in Church Lake, as the section of Lake Tapps within city jurisdiction is known.

“It answers the question, how loud can my boat be on Lake Tapps?” Councilman Mark Hamilton said.

Hamilton is the chair of the city’s Public Safety Committee, which developed the new ordinance.

Hamilton said residents around the lake, including several who were part of an ad hoc committee to develop the ordinance, brought the noise issue forward because their peace was routinely shattered by “drag boats,” large boats with big engines and above-water mufflers capable of reaching more than 100 mph.

“There was always the question of why can’t we do something about it?” Hamilton said.

Hamilton said ad hoc committee member and lake resident Craig Sarver was instrumental in bringing forward to new ordinance, which is based on a similar law that limits boat noise on American Lake. Assistant Police Chief Dana Powers and City Attorney Jim Dionne, both of whom also live on Lake Tapps, were also members of the committee.

“We just thought let’s not try to reinvent the wheel,” Hamilton said.

Like the American Lake ordinance, engine noise on Lake Tapps will be limited to 75 dB. Speed will still be capped at 60 mph. The new ordinance, if approved, will only apply to the Church Lake section of Lake Tapps.

Police Chief Mike Mitchell said his department has struggled every summer with complaints from residents who feel overrun by the drag boats.

“The windows rattle and it’s ruining the peace of living on the lake,” he said.

Mitchell said his department was handcuffed, however, because the city’s current noise ordinance includes not only the volume, but length of the noise, which proved ineffective against the drag boats, which sped off in a single burst of noise.

Mitchell said the new ordinance would allow then to better deal with the loudest boats.

“It’ll give us the ability to stop and check boats that are violating,” Mitchell said.

Councilwoman Laurie Carter, who also serves on the Public Safety Committee, agreed that the new law would be an improvement.

“Between our patrols and the new ordinance to assist, it’s a good plan,” Carter said.

The council was expected to pass the new ordinance Tuesday.