Noise Ordinances in Eugene, OR

If you live in Eugene or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Eugene has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Decibel Limits

Eugene caps commercial and industrial noise sources at set decibel levels under EC 6.752, with tighter nighttime limits than daytime ones. Blasting impulse sound is capped at 98 dBC by day and 93 dBC at night, while other impulse sounds top out at 100 dB by day and 80 dB at night, measured at the nearest noise-sensitive property.

Key details: Governing section: EC 6.752. Blasting limit (day): 98 dBC (7am-10pm). Blasting limit (night): 93 dBC (10pm-7am). Other impulse sound: 100 dB day / 80 dB night peak. 1000 Hz octave band: 49 dB day, 43 dB night.

A commercial or industrial operator that exceeds the EC 6.752 limits faces a fine of up to $200 per violation under EC 6.992, or an administrative civil penalty of up to $2,000 per day under EC 6.995 and EC 2.018, imposed after the city manager attempts voluntary correction and issues a correction order. Penalty decisions can be appealed to a hearings officer under EC 2.021.

Vehicle Noise

Eugene bans discharging vehicle, motorboat, or engine exhaust into the open air without a muffler that prevents loud or explosive noise, under EC 6.750(a). The rule reaches steam engines, stationary internal combustion engines, motorboats, and motor vehicles, with a narrow carve-out for licensed vehicle spectator sports between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Key details: Governing section: EC 6.750(a). Requirement: Effective muffler on exhaust. Race exception hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m., licensed events only. General fine: Up to $200 per violation. Civil penalty cap: Up to $2,000/day.

Operating a vehicle, motorboat, or engine without an effective muffler in violation of EC 6.750(a) is punishable by a fine of up to $200 under EC 6.992, or the city manager can instead impose an administrative civil penalty of up to $2,000 per day under EC 6.995 and EC 2.018, after attempting voluntary correction. Vehicles in properly licensed spectator racing events between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. are not cited under this section. Penalty decisions may be appealed to a hearings officer under EC 2.021.

Leaf Blower Rules

Eugene limits leaf blowers to 7 a.m.-9 p.m. hours, a 70 dBA-at-50-feet noise cap, and a 100-foot spacing rule between simultaneously operated blowers, under EC 6.750(e). A short-use exception drops the decibel cap on single-family lots run under 10 minutes an hour.

Key details: Allowed hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Decibel cap: 70 dBA at 50 feet. Spacing rule: 100 feet between blowers. Short-use exception: <10 min per 60-min period, single-family. Governing section: EC 6.750(e).

Running a leaf blower outside the 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, above 70 dBA at 50 feet, or within 100 feet of another operating blower violates EC 6.750(e) and is punishable by a fine of up to $200 under EC 6.992, or an administrative civil penalty of up to $2,000 per day under EC 6.995 and EC 2.018. Penalty decisions can be appealed to a hearings officer under EC 2.021.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Running a radio, speaker, or other sound-amplifying device on Eugene public property or in a public right-of-way so it's plainly audible 50 feet away is a noise disturbance under EC 4.083(a)(2), any time of day, unless the city, county, state, or federal government has authorized it in writing. Current through Ordinance 20739.

Key details: Public-space rule: Amplified sound audible 50+ ft on public property. Time limit: None for this clause, applies any time. Exception: Written authorization from city, county, state, or federal government. Repeat violation: Must stop within 30 min of citation (EC 4.081). Penalty: Up to $500 fine/100 days jail, or civil penalty.

Violating EC 4.083 exposes a person to EC 4.995's general penalty, up to $500 or 100 days in jail, or both, and EC 4.996(7) separately authorizes the city manager to impose an administrative civil penalty under EC 2.018 for violations of EC 4.083 through 4.084 without a criminal citation. A second violation within six months under EC 4.081 adds its own citation exposure.

Quiet Hours

Eugene bans running a radio, TV, stereo, or other sound equipment loud enough to be plainly heard inside a neighboring home between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., under EC 4.083(a)(1). The rule covers any sound-producing device, not just music, and stacks with the city's broader noise-disturbance ban in EC 4.080. Current through Ordinance 20739.

Key details: Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., every night. Standard: 'Plainly audible' inside a neighboring dwelling. Covers: Radios, TVs, stereos, instruments, engine noise. Daytime noise: Still barred under EC 4.080 if it disturbs. Penalty: Up to $500 fine or 100 days jail.

A violation of the nighttime rule is punishable under EC 4.995's catch-all, up to a $500 fine, up to 100 days in jail, or both. EC 4.996(7) also lets the city manager impose an administrative civil penalty under EC 2.018 for an EC 4.083 violation, and EC 4.081 adds separate exposure if the noise isn't stopped within 30 minutes of a citation or recurs within six months.

Barking Dogs

Eugene addresses barking dogs through its noise disturbance ordinances and animal control regulations. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors is a violation. Eugene Animal Services handles complaints.

Key details: Enforcement: Eugene Animal Services / Greenhill. Documentation: Record dates, times, duration. Process: Warnings first, then citations. County: Lane County also enforces.

Owners receive warnings then citations with fines. Repeated violations may result in escalating penalties.

Construction Hours

Eugene bars construction, demolition, and repair work on buildings, streets, sidewalks, driveways, sewers, and utility lines between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. under EC 6.750(d). The rule sits in the Environmental Noise Disturbance chapter, last amended by Ordinance No. 20680 in 2023; the Eugene Code is current through Ordinance No. 20739, passed June 8, 2026.

Key details: Allowed hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Governing section: EC 6.750(d). Variance decision time: 14 days (30 with hearing). General fine: Up to $200 per violation. Civil penalty cap: Up to $2,000/day.

A first violation of EC 6.750(d) is punishable under EC 6.992 by a fine of up to $200. The city manager can instead, or in addition, pursue an administrative civil penalty under EC 6.995, applying the EC 2.018 procedure, which caps penalties for this chapter at $2,000 per day after the city tries voluntary correction and issues a correction order. Penalties can be appealed to a hearings officer under EC 2.021, and unpaid administrative penalties can become a lien against the property.

The Bottom Line

Eugene'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 Eugene is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Eugene's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.