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Hillsboro, OR Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governs
HMC § 6.24.050(D)
Status
Exempt, federally regulated
Regulator
FAA, not city
Local airport
Hillsboro Airport (HIO)

Summary

Hillsboro's local noise limits do not apply to aircraft, including helicopters, because HMC 6.24.050(D) exempts sounds regulated by federal law, leaving aviation noise to FAA rules rather than city ordinance.

Sounds regulated by federal law, including, but not limited to, sounds caused by railroads or aircraft;E.Sounds caused by demolition activities when performed under a permit issued by the appropriate governmental authorities;F.Sounds caused by industrial, agricultural or construction activities between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., other than sounds regulated under subsection (E) of this section and that do not violate HMC 6.24.040(E);G.Sounds caused by regular vehicular traffic upon premises open to the public;H.Sounds caused by air-, electric- or gas-driven domestic tools, including lawn mowers and edgers, radial arm, circular and table saws, and other similar lawn or construction tools, excluding tools used for vehicle repair, between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday;I.Sounds caused by chainsaws, when used for pruning, trimming or cutting of live trees or private wood cutting, between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and not exceeding 2 hours in any 24-hour period; andJ.Sounds caused by non-amplified human voices. (Ord. 6464, § 1, 2023)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 1).

Full Breakdown

HMC 6.24.050(D) exempts sounds regulated by federal law, including, but not limited to, sounds caused by railroads or aircraft, from the city's noise limits in HMC 6.24.030. Helicopters are aircraft regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, so their noise, including flights to and from Hillsboro Airport (HIO), falls under this federal exemption rather than the city's dBA thresholds or the specific-noise rules in HMC 6.24.040. Complaints about helicopter noise are a matter for the FAA, not Hillsboro code enforcement.

Violations & Fines

None under city code: aircraft noise, including helicopters, is exempt from HMC 6.24 as a matter regulated by federal law; enforcement questions go to the FAA, not the City of Hillsboro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Hillsboro fine a helicopter pilot for noise?
No. HMC 6.24.050(D) exempts sounds regulated by federal law, including aircraft, from the city's noise ordinance; the FAA governs aviation noise instead.
Does this exemption cover ground equipment at Hillsboro Airport?
Only aircraft noise itself is exempt as federally regulated; non-aircraft noise sources on airport property can still be subject to HMC 6.24's general limits.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hillsboro

All Hillsboro rules

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