10 rules for unincorporated Clackamas County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Clackamas County it is a per se violation to exceed 50 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., or 60 dBA between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Nighttime is the strict quiet period. Cities like Oregon City set their own rules.
Clackamas County Code 6.05.040(A)
It shall be a per se violation of this chapter for any person to produce or permit to be produced... sound which exceeds: 1. 50 dBA at any time between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day; or 2. 60 dBA at any time between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
In unincorporated Clackamas County, construction, demolition, alteration, or repair of buildings and excavation of streets is prohibited except between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Power tools like chain saws, drills, and lawnmowers share the same 7 a.m.-10 p.m. window.
Clackamas County Code 6.05.040(B)(11)
Construction or Repair of Buildings, Excavation of Streets and Highways: The construction, demolition, alteration, or repair of any building or the excavation of streets and highways other than between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
In unincorporated Clackamas County, any dog that unreasonably causes annoyance, alarm, or noise disturbance violates the county Animal Chapter 5.01. Chapter 6.05 also bans unreasonably loud animal or bird noise in urban residential zones where an owner is responsible.
Clackamas County Code 6.05.040(B)(9)
Dogs: Any dog that unreasonably causes annoyance, alarm or noise disturbance in violation of the Clackamas County Animal Licensing, Services, and Enforcement Chapter 5.01.
Clackamas County has no gas-blower ban, but Code 6.05.040(B)(12) prohibits operating any noise-creating blower, power fan, or internal combustion engine between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. when the noise is unreasonably loud in dwellings or noise-sensitive areas.
Clackamas County Code 6.05.040(B)(12)
Blowers, and Similar Devices: Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day, the operation of any noise-creating blower, power fan, or any internal combustion engine, the operation of which causes noise due to the explosion of operating gases or fluids, provided that the noise is unreasonably loud and is received or perceived in dwellings or noise sensitive areas.
In unincorporated Clackamas County, using loudspeakers, amplifiers, or PA systems unreasonably loud between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. near dwellings is a per se violation under Code 6.05.040(B)(6). Radios and stereos plainly audible 50 feet away are also prohibited.
Clackamas County Code 6.05.040(B)(6)
Loudspeakers, Amplifiers, Public Address Systems and Similar Devices: The unreasonably loud and raucous use or operation of a loudspeaker, amplifier, public address system, or other device for producing or reproducing sound between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day... Within or in proximity to dwellings or noise sensitive areas.
Clackamas County does not regulate aircraft noise. Code 6.05.060(C) expressly exempts sounds from aircraft and other federally regulated sources. Aircraft noise falls under the FAA; complaints go to the airport authority or the FAA, not the county Sheriff.
Clackamas County Code 6.05.060(C)
Sounds caused by sources regulated as to sound production by federal law, including, but not limited to, sounds caused by railroad, aircraft or commercially licensed watercraft operations;
Sounds from industrial, commercial, timber-harvesting, or utility operations during normal operations are exempt from Clackamas County's noise code under 6.05.060(F). But commercial establishments next to homes cannot be unreasonably loud between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Clackamas County Code 6.05.060(F)
Sounds caused by industrial, commercial, timber-harvesting, or utility organizations or workers during their normal operations;
Clackamas County sets hard numeric noise caps: 50 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and 60 dBA between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Exceeding these is a per se violation under Code 6.05.040(A). Motorboats have a separate 75 dBA shore standard.
Clackamas County Code 6.05.040(A)
sound which exceeds: 1. 50 dBA at any time between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day; or 2. 60 dBA at any time between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Organized outdoor events on parks, stadiums, or fields are allowed 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in unincorporated Clackamas County. Permitted outdoor gatherings, dances, and shows are exempt; otherwise nighttime amplified outdoor music violates Code 6.05.040(B)(6).
Clackamas County Code 6.05.060(K)
Outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows, sporting events and other similar outdoor events, provided that a permit has been obtained from the appropriate permitting authority or is being sponsored or hosted by the County;
Clackamas County Code 6.05.040(B)(2) bans sounding a vehicle horn more than ten consecutive seconds except as a danger warning. On-road vehicle exhaust noise is governed statewide by ORS 815.250, enforced by the Sheriff, requiring an adequate muffler.
Clackamas County Code 6.05.040(B)(2)
Vehicle, Horns, Signaling Devices, and Similar Devices: The sounding of any horn, signaling device, or other similar device on any vehicle on any right of way or in the public space of the County, for more than ten consecutive seconds.
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