Portland, ME Noise from Specific Sources: Bar & Nightclub Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Noise cap
- 85 dBA or 95 dBC on premises
- Indoor hours
- 8 a.m.–1 a.m. daily
- Outdoor hours (Sun–Thu)
- 8 a.m.–midnight
- Outdoor hours (Fri–Sat)
- 8 a.m.–1 a.m. next day
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances § 4-57
- Oversight body
- 4-member Sound Oversight Committee, § 4-57.1
Summary
Bars, clubs, and other licensed entertainment venues in Portland can't exceed 85 dBA or 95 dBC on the licensed premises without an Expanded Entertainment Addendum. Section 4-57 of Chapter 4 sets the standard, ties it to entertainment-license operating hours, and backs it with a dedicated Sound Oversight Committee for repeat offenders.
a licensee shall not allow the licensed activity or any other activities on the licensed premises to generate sound or noise that exceeds either of the following standards without an Expanded Entertainment Addendum: 1. Eighty-five (85) dBA; and 2. Ninety-five (95) dBC. ... A licensee shall not allow the licensed activity to be conducted outside of the following times without an Expanded Entertainment Addendum. 1. Outdoor entertainment, Sunday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to midnight; 2. Outdoor entertainment, Friday through Saturday: 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. the following day; and 3. Indoor entertainment: 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. the following day.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
' Section 4-57(a) provides: 'a licensee shall not allow the licensed activity or any other activities on the licensed premises to generate sound or noise that exceeds either of the following standards without an Expanded Entertainment Addendum: 1. Eighty-five (85) dBA; and 2. ' Measurement points differ by venue type under Section 4-57(b): for indoor entertainment, readings are taken 8 feet from the nearest means of egress and/or 8 feet from any outer wall; for outdoor entertainment, from the property line nearest the noise source or nearest the complainant.
the following day every night. 1 establishes a four-member Sound Oversight Committee, a city employee, a police officer who chairs and casts tie-breaking votes, and an entertainment licensee nominated by the nightlife oversight committee, that meets with venues referred by the city council or the police after a Section 4-57 exceedance to recommend mitigation steps.
Violations & Fines
When a licensee exceeds the 85 dBA/95 dBC standard, Section 4-57.1(c) requires the police department to notify the licensee to meet with the Sound Oversight Committee within five business days. Repeated exceedances put the entertainment license itself at risk and can draw the general Code of Ordinances Section 1-15 penalty of $100 to $500 per offense, with every day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a bar or nightclub be in Portland, Maine?
What hours can a bar host live entertainment in Portland?
What happens if a Portland venue exceeds the noise standard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
Compare Portland to another location·View the Maine noise from specific sources overview
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