Noise Ordinances in Portland, ME (2026)
10 verified noise ordinances for Portland, Maine, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Portland's Code does not set fixed numeric quiet hours but prohibits loud, unnecessary noise that disturbs neighboring inhabitants 24/7 under Sec. 17-17(c). Most enforcement happens at night, and the loading of scrap metal is specifically barred between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under Sec. 17-19. State disorderly-conduct law (17-A M.R.S. Sec. 501-A) backs up the local rule.
Portland Disorderly Noise — General Quiet Standard (No Fixed Hours)
Some RestrictionsConstruction Hours
Within Portland R-zones, construction noise above 50 decibels is prohibited within 500 feet of any residence, hospital, or nursing home between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (Sep 1 - May 31). The summer evening cutoff extends to 8:00 p.m. (Jun 1 - Aug 31). No construction may start before 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays.
Portland Construction Noise — Sec. 17-18 (Seasonal Hours and 50 dB Cap)
Heavy RestrictionsBarking Dogs
Portland City Code Sec. 5-18 prohibits owning, possessing, or harboring any dog whose 'loud, frequent, or habitual barking, howling, or yelping' disturbs the peace of any person. The first violation receives a warning; subsequent violations within six months of the warning carry a fine of $10 to $100. State law (7 M.R.S. Sec. 3950) forbids breed-specific bans but allows Portland's barking ordinance.
Portland Barking Dog Ordinance — Sec. 5-18 (Warning First, Then Fine)
Few RestrictionsLeaf Blower Rules
Portland, Maine has NOT adopted any leaf-blower-specific ordinance (no time-of-day, day-of-week, decibel, or gas-vs-electric restriction). Leaf-blower use is governed by the general disorderly-noise standard of Sec. 17-17(c) and the construction-hours rule of Sec. 17-18 if used in conjunction with landscaping work in R-zones.
Portland Leaf Blowers — No Specific Ordinance, General Noise Rules Apply
Few RestrictionsAmplified Music & Events
Portland prohibits loudspeakers, amplifiers, radios, musical instruments, and phonographs operated 'in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants' (Sec. 17-17(c)). Amplified sound on public rights-of-way is additionally controlled by Sec. 17-20, with escalating fines from $50 to $500. Entertainment-licensed venues are subject to Sound Oversight Committee review after multiple complaints.
Portland Amplified Music — Sec. 17-17(c) and Sec. 17-20 (Public Right-of-Way)
Heavy RestrictionsAircraft Noise
Portland has no enforceable local aircraft-noise ordinance — aircraft operations are preempted by the FAA. The Portland International Jetport (PWM) runs a voluntary 'Fly Quiet' program under an FAA-approved FAR Part 150 study and a Noise Advisory Committee.
Aircraft Noise — Federal Jurisdiction; PWM Voluntary 'Fly Quiet' Program
Few RestrictionsIndustrial Noise
Portland Code § 17-19 bans scrap-metal loading/unloading from ships, vessels, or barges (and preparatory stacking) between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. General industrial noise that disturbs the peace falls under the disorderly-conduct noise rule in § 17-17(c).
Industrial Noise — Scrap Metal Loading Curfew + General Disorderly-Conduct Noise
Some RestrictionsDecibel Limits
Portland's only numeric decibel limit is in Sec. 17-18: construction activity in R-zones may not exceed 50 dB measured within 500 feet of any residential, hospital, or nursing-home building during prohibited nighttime/weekend hours. All other noise is governed by qualitative 'loud and unreasonable' standards.
Decibel Limits — 50 dB Construction Cap in Residential Zones
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Music
Portland Code § 17-17(c) expressly prohibits playing any radio, instrument, or sound-producing device 'in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants and passers-by.' The Police Department also tracks verified complaints against entertainment licensees and can refer licensees for sanction after a complaint threshold.
Outdoor Music & Amplified Sound — Disorderly-Conduct Standard + Entertainment Licensing
Some RestrictionsVehicle Noise
Portland Code § 17-20 bans operating any vehicle on public right-of-way with a straight-pipe exhaust, cutout, bypass, or other non-compliant muffler — including motorcycles. Rapid throttle revving is separately prohibited. § 17-21 limits car burglar alarms to 10 minutes per hour (20 if actually triggered).
Vehicle Noise — Straight-Pipe Ban, Revving Prohibition, Alarm Time Limits
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Cumberland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Portland city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Cumberland County →