Noise from Specific Sources in Multnomah County, OR (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Multnomah County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Heat pumps, air conditioners, and refrigeration units are regulated sound-producing devices in unincorporated Multnomah County; their noise can't exceed 50 dBA overnight or 60 dBA daytime at a neighboring noise-sensitive unit.
Multnomah County HVAC Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code §§ 15.266(8), 15.269(A)
SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE... (8) Heat pumps, air conditioning units, and refrigeration units, including those mounted on vehicles. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to produce or permit to be produced, with a sound producing device, sound which... exceeds: (1) Fifty dBA at any time between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day; or (2) Sixty dBA at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p....
Bar & Nightclub Noise
Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated Multnomah County must keep loudspeaker, PA, and live music sound at or below 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA overnight at the nearest noise-sensitive property, under the county's Sound Control Law.
Multnomah County Bar & Nightclub Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 15.269(A)
It shall be unlawful for any person to produce or permit to be produced, with a sound producing device, sound which: (A) When measured at or within the boundary of the property on which a noise sensitive unit which is not the source of the sound is located...exceeds: (1) Fifty dBA at any time between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day; or (2) Sixty dBA at any time between 7:00 a.m. and ...
Car Alarm Limits
Unincorporated Multnomah County caps sound from sirens and alarms at 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime under the county Sound Control Law, but exempts genuine alarm-system activations: a real car alarm triggered by a break-in attempt isn't itself a violation.
Car Alarms Under Multnomah County Noise Law
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 15.269(A)
It shall be unlawful for any person to produce or permit to be produced, with a sound producing device, sound which: (A) When measured at or within the boundary of the property on which a noise sensitive unit which is not the source of the sound is located, or, within a noise sensitive unit which is not the source of the sound, exceeds: (1) Fifty dBA at any time between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m....
Generator Noise
Multnomah County limits backup generator noise at wireless facilities to 5 dBA above ambient or 55 dBA, whichever is greater; testing is barred from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., though outage-driven generator use is always exempt.
Multnomah County Cell Tower Backup Generator Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 39.7740(A)(3)
Noise. Noise levels shall not exceed 5 dBA above ambient levels or 55 dBA Sound Pressure Level (SPL), whichever is greater, on adjacent properties. Operation of a back-up generator in the event of power failure or the testing of a back-up generator between 8 AM and 8 PM are exempt from this standard. No testing of back-up power generators shall occur between the hours of 8 PM and 8 AM. (4) Envi...
Delivery Truck Noise
The county's Sound Control Law treats a delivery truck's engine or exhaust as a regulated sound source once it's parked off the public street: capping noise at 50 dBA overnight and 60 dBA by day near homes, but only in unincorporated Multnomah County, not Portland.
Delivery Truck Engine Noise Limits in Multnomah County
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 15.269(A)
It shall be unlawful for any person to produce or permit to be produced, with a sound producing device, sound which: (A) ... exceeds: (1) Fifty dBA at any time between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day; or (2) Sixty dBA at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. the same day;
Low-Frequency Bass Limits
Unincorporated Multnomah County caps stereo, radio, and musical-instrument noise (including vehicle systems) at 50 dBA overnight and 60 dBA daytime at a neighboring property, or bans any plainly audible bass or music between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Multnomah County Loud Bass Limits
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 15.269(A)-(B)
It shall be unlawful for any person to produce or permit to be produced, with a sound producing device, sound which: (A) ... exceeds: (1) Fifty dBA at any time between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day; or (2) Sixty dBA at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. the same day; or (B) Is plainly audible at any time between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day: (1) Within a noise ...
Noise from Specific Sources by City in Multnomah County
1 cities in Multnomah County have their own noise from specific sources rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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