How Tualatin Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Tualatin maintains 50 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Tualatin falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Amplified Music & Events

TMC 6-14-040 prohibits operating amplified sound equipment so that the sound is plainly audible within a noise-sensitive property or more than 150 feet away on public property. The standard is plain audibility, not a decibel reading, and applies at all hours.

Key details: Code Section: TMC 6-14-040. Standard: Plainly audible. Public Property Distance: More than 150 feet. Applies: 24 hours per day. Permitted Events: Exempt under TMC 6-14-050.

Plainly audible amplified-sound violations are cited under TMC 6-14-040 with penalties under TMC Chapter 6-14 and the general penalty provision TMC 6-1-210, as set by Ordinance No. 1361-13.

Leaf Blower Rules

Tualatin does not ban gas-powered leaf blowers. Under TMC 6-14-040, residential power equipment - including leaf blowers, lawn mowers, lawn edgers, hand tools, saws, and drills - may operate between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Operation between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is unlawful.

Key details: Code Section: TMC 6-14-040. Permitted Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.. Equipment Type Ban: None. Sunday Restriction: None. Gas Blower Ban: Not adopted.

Operating a leaf blower or other power equipment between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is a violation of TMC 6-14-040 and is enforced under TMC Chapter 6-14. Active disturbances are reported to the Tualatin Police non-emergency line at 503-629-0111.

The rules around leaf blower rules in Tualatin lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Barking Dogs

Under TMC 6-14-040, it is unlawful to keep or permit any animal that barks, cries, or whimpers on a frequent or continuous basis for 15 minutes or longer if the sound is audible at neighboring properties. The rule applies 24 hours a day, not only at night.

Key details: Code Section: TMC 6-14-040. Trigger: 15 minutes or longer. Standard: Frequent or continuous. Applies: 24 hours per day. Complaints: Police non-emergency 503-629-0111.

Animal-noise violations are enforced under TMC Chapter 6-14 by Tualatin Police. Adopting Ordinance No. 1361-13 carries the chapter's penalties through the general penalty section TMC 6-1-210.

Quiet Hours

Tualatin Municipal Code Chapter 6-14 governs noise. TMC 6-14-030 prohibits creating or permitting a noise disturbance, and TMC 6-14-040 sets a 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. nighttime window for several specific noise sources, including power equipment, vehicle idling over 15 minutes, and vehicle repair or testing audible at neighboring properties.

Key details: Code Chapter: TMC Ch. 6-14. General Rule: TMC 6-14-030. Nighttime Window: 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.. Adopting Ordinance: No. 1361-13. Complaints: Police non-emergency 503-629-0111.

Noise disturbances under TMC Chapter 6-14 are enforced by Tualatin Police. The chapter was adopted by Ordinance No. 1361-13 and tied to the general penalty provision in TMC 6-1-210 as amended by that ordinance.

Construction Hours

Construction work in Tualatin - excavation, demolition, alteration, or repair of a building - is allowed between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. seven days a week without a variance. Work outside that window requires advance variance approval from the City Engineer under TMC Chapter 6-14.

Key details: Permitted Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., 7 days. Code Chapter: TMC Ch. 6-14. After-Hours Path: City Engineer variance. Engineering Contact: 503-691-3059. Weekend Construction: Allowed in window.

Working outside the 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. construction window without an approved variance is enforceable under TMC Chapter 6-14 and the variance conditions issued by the City Engineer. Active disturbances are reported to Tualatin Police non-emergency at 503-629-0111.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Tualatin gives residents more flexibility on construction hours.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Tualatin gives residents more room on noise ordinances. 2 of the 5 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Tualatin can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.