Clackamas County, OR Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- County rule
- No local aircraft noise regulation
- Basis
- § 6.05.060(C) federal-preemption exemption
- Also exempted
- Railroad and licensed watercraft noise
- Recourse
- Airport/federal noise complaint channels instead
Summary
Unincorporated Clackamas County does not regulate aircraft noise under its own noise code. Code Section 6.05.060(C) exempts sounds from sources regulated by federal law, expressly naming aircraft alongside railroad and commercially licensed watercraft operations, leaving aircraft noise to federal aviation authority rather than the County's 50/60 dBA limits.
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;
D. Sounds caused by bona fide use of emergency warning devices and alarm systems authorized by the Clackamas County Alarm Permit Chapter 8.07 or successor provisions;
E. Sounds caused by blasting activities when performed under a permit issued by appropriate governmental authorities and only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. excluding weekends, unless such permit expressly authorizes otherwise;
F. Sounds caused by industrial, commercial, timber-harvesting, or utility organizations or workers during their normal operations;
G. Sounds caused by animals associated with agricultural operations, or animal husbandry;
H. Sounds caused by motor vehicles operated on a public right of way, which are regulated by state law (ORS 815.250) which the Sheriff has a mandate to enforce, and which are not otherwise prohibited by 6.05.040(B)(2) or (B)(4);
I. Sounds caused by construction activity or by tools, including drills, chain saws, lawnmowers, saws, hammers, and similar tools, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. of the same day;
Full Breakdown
040(A) simply do not apply to it. 250, for vehicle noise on public roads, rather than layering a local standard on top of a higher level of regulation. 05 and instead must pursue complaints through the airport's own voluntary noise procedures or federal channels. 090 are built around locally regulated sound sources and have no application to federally regulated aircraft operations.
Violations & Fines
Because aircraft noise is exempted outright, there is no county citation, fine, or hearing process that applies to it under Chapter 6.05. The Sheriff's Office noise enforcement authority under Section 6.05.090 extends only to locally regulated sound sources, so a noise complaint about aircraft cannot result in a County-issued citation or fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a noise complaint against aircraft flying over unincorporated Clackamas County?
Why doesn't the 50/60 dBA noise limit apply to airplanes?
Are there any other noise sources exempted the same way as aircraft?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
Compare Clackamas County to another location·View the Oregon noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.