Given their distribution, harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are likely to interact with human activities and potentially be disturbed. However, it is unclear how human development affects the haul-out behavior of harbor seals near urban areas. Because disturbance related to human development may increase noise levels in air, one might expect seals to haul-out at times when airborne noise levels are low. This study examined the number of harbor seals hauled-out relative to time of day, noise levels in air, and tide level at two haul-out sites in the city of Bellingham, Washington, USA. Harbor seals were observed from May 2008 to April 2009. Two surveys were conducted every 1 to 2 wks-one during the day and one at night. Harbor seal counts and in-air noise levels were recorded approximately 100 m from each haulout site with binoculars and a sound level meter, respectively. Given the strong correlation between time of day and noise levels, one set of linear mixed effects models examined the interactive influence of time of day and tide level on harbor seal numbers. Another set of models examined the effect of noise level and tide level on harbor seal numbers. Despite fluctuations in harbor seal numbers in relation to time of year and haul-out site, more harbor seals hauled-out during the night than during the day. The best model for the number of harbor seals hauled-out included an interaction between time of day and tide level, and an interaction between noise level and tide level. This study indicated that numbers of harbor seals hauling-out in Bellingham were correlated with time of day and in-air noise levels. However, it is unclear if the nocturnal haul-out behavior of harbor seals was a consequence of human development. It is still possible that an unknown factor associated with time of day was responsible for the observed results. To tease out the correlation between time of day and in-air noise levels, a future comparative study between nearby haul-out sites-one close to human activities and one away from them-is recommended.