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Portland noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

Portland's noise rules are Title 18 of the Portland City Code, "Noise Control." It has decibel limits measured at the property line. It also has a plainly-audible rule for music at night and a list of specific bans. The City's Noise Program, part of Portland Permitting & Development, handles complaints.

Decibel limits

Section 18.10.010 bans sound that intrudes into another person's property above the levels in Figure 1. For sound from a residential property reaching a residential property, the limits are:

• 55 dBA during day hours, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• 50 dBA during night hours, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Figure 1 minus 5 dBA)

The limits drop another 5 dBA for "narrow band or steady sound" such as a hum (§ 18.10.010(B)(2)). Impulse sounds can't peak above 100 dB during the day or 80 dB at night (§ 18.10.010(F)). If a measurement is taken, these limits decide whether there is a violation (§ 18.12.030).

Music at night

Under § 18.12.020(B), it is a violation to play a stereo, TV, instrument or other sound device in a way that causes a "noise disturbance" at any time. Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., it is also a violation if the sound is "plainly audible within any dwelling unit that is not the source of sound." The code defines plainly audible as sound whose content is clearly communicated to the listener, such as understandable speech or "comprehensible musical rhythms" (§ 18.04).

Barking dogs

Section 18.12.020(A) covers animals. Repeated barking, whining or howling that can be heard beyond the owner's property is a violation if it causes annoyance or a noise disturbance. It has to last at least 10 minutes without stopping, or come in repeated bouts over at least 30 minutes. Multnomah County Animal Control enforces this part for animals outside permitted animal facilities.

Power tools and construction

• Power tools and lawn equipment at home, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.: 60 dBA at the lot line when used indoors. Outdoors, 80 dBA for tools of five horsepower or less, such as lawnmowers, and 85 dBA for larger equipment, measured at 25 feet or the lot line. At night, the regular residential limits apply (§ 18.10.030).
• Leaf blowers in residential zones: not from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (§ 18.10.035).
• Commercial construction equipment: 85 dBA at 50 feet during allowed hours. From 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays, from 6 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday, and on legal holidays, the regular property-line limits apply instead, unless there is a variance or emergency (§ 18.10.060).

How to complain

The Noise Program takes formal complaints through its online "Report a noise concern" form and asks for at least two weeks to review a report. Its page says the City usually can't enforce noise from animals, aircraft, trains, moving vehicles or garbage trucks. The same goes for voices that aren't amplified and children at play. The form will point you to the right place. It recommends giving a neighbor a chance to fix the problem first. The Noise Program's contact is noise@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7350.

Penalties

Each incident and each day of noncompliance is a separate violation (§ 18.18.020(B)). The City can charge a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation (§ 18.18.030(A)). The amount depends on factors such as how serious it was and whether it was repeated. A cited party has 15 days to pay or request review (§ 18.18.040(B)). Uncorrected violations can also bring monthly enforcement fees that double after six months, and a lien on the property (§ 18.18.030(B)).

Oregon law

Oregon Revised Statutes 467.020 bars noise above the levels the state sets, aside from the exceptions in ORS 467.131 and 467.133. A city or county may adopt its own noise rules under ORS 467.100. The Oregon noise rules page links the statute and the state's note that noise-complaint investigations stopped on July 1, 1991.

Keeping a record

Sometimes the Noise Program acts on a report and the noise keeps going. Then its guide to documenting noise asks you to keep records over 15 days. Note what the noise is, what it sounds like, and the dates and times. It says noise has to be consistent to be investigated, and that smartphone readings can be useful for your own information but can't be used for official purposes. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app keeps that kind of log, with the time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports a PDF report.

Sources

• Portland City Code Title 18, Noise Control
• Portland City Code Chapter 18.10, Maximum Permissible Sound Levels
• Portland City Code Chapter 18.12, Noises Prohibited
• Portland City Code Chapter 18.18, Enforcement and Penalties
• Portland.gov: Report a noise concern
• Portland.gov: How to document ongoing noise issues

Last checked October 17, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.