Noise Ordinances in Beaverton, OR

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Beaverton, Oregon, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Beaverton bars unreasonably loud sound-amplification devices near homes and public spaces between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, and 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. on weekends and holidays, unless a special event permit applies.

Key details: Weekday restricted hours: 10pm-7am. Weekend/holiday hours: 10pm-10am. Governing law: BC 5.15.030.B. Exemption: City special event permit.

Violating BC 5.15.030 is a Class I civil infraction under BC 5.15.040, with fines up to $1,000 for repeat offenders within 24 months; each day of continued amplified noise is a separate infraction.

Construction Hours

Construction, demolition, and repair work in Beaverton's residential areas, or within 300 feet of a noise-sensitive area, is barred outside 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. except under a City emergency permit.

Key details: Standard hours: 7am-7pm. Owner-occupied exception: until 10pm, no permit. Emergency permit cap: 10 days, renewable 5. Governing law: BC 5.15.030.D.1.

A violation of BC 5.15.030.D is a Class I civil infraction under BC 5.15.040, punishable by up to $1,000 per repeat offense within 24 months; each day construction noise continues outside permitted hours is a separate infraction.

Leaf Blower Rules

Running a leaf blower, power fan, or other internal combustion engine loud enough to be heard across the property line is barred in Beaverton's residential and noise-sensitive areas between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Key details: Restricted hours: 7pm-7am. Covers: blowers, power fans, engines. Test: audible across property line. Governing law: BC 5.15.030.F.

A violation of BC 5.15.030.F is a Class I civil infraction under BC 5.15.040, with fines up to $1,000 for repeat violations within 24 months; each day of prohibited blower use is a separate infraction.

Vehicle Noise

Beaverton bars sounding a vehicle horn or other signaling device for more than 10 consecutive seconds on a highway or public-access premises, except as a genuine danger warning, under BC 5.15.030(H).

Key details: Time limit: 10 consecutive seconds max. Exempt: genuine danger warnings. Applies on: highways & public-access premises. Violation class: Class I civil infraction.

Sounding a vehicle horn or signaling device for more than 10 seconds outside a genuine danger warning is a Class I civil infraction under BC 5.15.040, fined up to $1,000 for repeats.

Decibel Limits

In residential areas of Beaverton, Washington County, sound between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. that exceeds 50 dBA at the noise-sensitive area's property line counts as evidence of a loud or raucous noise violation.

Key details: Nighttime dBA limit: 50 dBA, 10pm-7am. Applies in: residential areas only. Governing law: BC 5.15.025.B.7. Max fine: $1,000 per infraction. Infraction class: Class I civil infraction.

A first violation is a Class I civil infraction under BC 5.15.040; a Beaverton municipal judge can fine up to $1,000 for repeat violations within 24 months, and each day of continuing noise is a separate infraction.

Barking Dogs

Beaverton bans unreasonably loud and raucous noise from any animal or bird, holding whoever owns, controls, or cares for the animal responsible for a barking-dog nuisance.

Key details: Standard: Unreasonably loud and raucous noise. Responsible party: Owner, controller, or caretaker. Penalty: Class I civil infraction. Repeat fine: Up to $1,000. Jurisdiction: City of Beaverton, Washington County.

A violation of BC 5.15.030(M) is a Class I civil infraction under BC 5.15.040; repeat offenders within 24 months face a municipal court fine up to $1,000.

Quiet Hours

Beaverton's noise ordinance treats sound as unreasonably loud between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. once it exceeds 50 dBA at a neighbor's property line, on top of the code's general ban on raucous noise.

Key details: Nighttime hours: 10 p.m.-7 a.m.. Noise threshold: 50 dBA at property line. Amplified sound curfew: 10 p.m.-7 a.m. weekdays. Max repeat fine: $1,000.

Violating the noise chapter is a Class I civil infraction under BC 5.15.040, processed per BC 2.10.010-.050; a repeat violation within 24 months can draw a municipal-judge fine of up to $1,000.

The Bottom Line

Beaverton's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Beaverton is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Beaverton's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.