Quiet Hours: Portland vs Seattle
How do quiet hours rules compare between Portland, OR and Seattle, WA?
Portland and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
Portland, OR
Multnomah County
Portland City Code Title 18 (Noise Control) sets quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily, with stricter residential sound limits during those hours. Daytime maximum sound at a residential property line is 75 dBA; nighttime is 60 dBA. The Portland Noise Office in the Bureau of Development Services administers permits and complaints.
View full Portland rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08 prohibits excessive noise. Nighttime quiet hours are 10 PM–7 AM weekdays and 10 PM–9 AM on weekends and legal holidays. Nighttime noise limits are reduced 10 dBA from daytime levels in residential districts.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Portland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Code | PCC Title 18 (Noise Control), Chapters 18.10 and 18.12 | - |
| Quiet Hours | 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily | - |
| Daytime Limit | 75 dBA at residential property line | - |
| Nighttime Limit | 60 dBA at residential property line | - |
| Construction Hours | 7am-6pm weekdays, 8am-6pm weekends (PCC 18.12) | - |
| Permit Authority | Portland Noise Office (BDS) / Noise Review Board | - |
| Code | - | SMC Chapter 25.08 |
| Quiet Hours (Weekday) | - | 10 PM–7 AM |
| Quiet Hours (Weekend/Holiday) | - | 10 PM–9 AM |
| Fine | - | $150–$1,000 (1st offense); doubled thereafter |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Portland FAQ
What are Portland's official quiet hours?
PCC Title 18 sets quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. citywide. During those hours, the sound limit at a residential property line drops to 60 dBA and power equipment such as leaf blowers and lawn mowers is prohibited.
Can I run construction equipment on Saturday morning?
Yes — PCC 18.12 allows construction from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends. Earlier or later work requires a noise variance from the Noise Review Board through the Portland Bureau of Development Services.
Seattle FAQ
What are the quiet hours in Seattle?
Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08 prohibits excessive noise. Nighttime quiet hours are 10 PM–7 AM weekdays and 10 PM–9 AM on weekends and legal holidays. Nighttime noise limits are reduced 10 dBA from daytime levels in residential districts.
What happens if I violate the noise ordinance in Seattle?
Code: SMC Chapter 25.08. Quiet Hours (Weekday): 10 PM–7 AM. Quiet Hours (Weekend/Holiday): 10 PM–9 AM. Fine: $150–$1,000 (1st offense); doubled thereafter.
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