Lane County, OR Noise from Specific Sources: HVAC & Mechanical Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulated device
- Heat pumps, AC, refrigeration units (LC 6.225.005H)
- Daytime limit
- 60 dBA, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Nighttime limit
- 50 dBA, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Owner liability
- Owner liable if aware and able to stop it
- Variance factor
- Medical heating/cooling need considered
Summary
A noisy heat pump, air conditioner, or refrigeration unit, including one mounted on a vehicle, is a regulated "Sound Producing Device" under Lane Code 6.225.005H. If it registers above 60 dBA by day or 50 dBA at night inside a neighbor's noise-sensitive unit, or is plainly audible there overnight, it violates LC 6.225.010A, and the Land Management Division can approve a medical-need variance instead of a shutdown.
H. Heat pumps, air conditioning units and refrigeration units, including those mounted on vehicles. ... A. Sound Producing Devices. No person shall create or assist in creating or permit the continuance of noise from a sound producing device, by the following acts, or in excess of the following limits: 1. When measurement made. When measured at or within the boundary of the property on which a noise sensitive unit - that is not the source of the sound - is located, or within a noise sensitive unit that is not the source of the sound, a. exceeds fifty (50) dBA between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following day. b. exceeds sixty (60) dBA between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. of the same day.
Full Breakdown
005H specifically lists "Heat pumps, air conditioning units and refrigeration units, including those mounted on vehicles" among the regulated Sound Producing Devices, alongside domestic tools, loudspeakers and vehicle exhausts. if the sound is plainly audible inside that neighboring unit or 50 feet or more into a public right-of-way. , a heat pump or AC condenser is potentially a violation around the clock if it crosses the applicable dBA threshold. 013 makes the property owner, not just the tenant running the unit, liable if the owner knows about the violation, has the ability to fix or shut it off, and fails to act.
020B(7) specifically directs the Manager to weigh "special medical requirements for continued use of the device" when a variance request involves a heating or cooling unit.
Violations & Fines
A heat pump or AC violation is enforced the same way as any other noise offense: administratively under LC Chapter 5, or through nuisance abatement proceedings under LC Chapter 9, per LC 6.225.030A. Because LC 6.225.013 extends liability to whoever controls the property, a landlord told about a noisy rooftop unit who does nothing can be cited even if a tenant installed it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my AC unit exempt just because it's mechanical equipment, not music?
Can I ask for an exception if I need my heat pump running for a medical reason?
Does the nighttime-only rule for lawn equipment also apply to my condenser?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lane County
Compare Lane County to another location·View the Oregon noise from specific sources overview
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