Eugene, OR Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Eugene, OR, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Public-space rule
- Amplified sound audible 50+ ft on public property
- Time limit
- None for this clause, applies any time
- Exception
- Written authorization from city, county, state, or federal government
- Repeat violation
- Must stop within 30 min of citation (EC 4.081)
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine/100 days jail, or civil penalty
Summary
Running a radio, speaker, or other sound-amplifying device on Eugene public property or in a public right-of-way so it's plainly audible 50 feet away is a noise disturbance under EC 4.083(a)(2), any time of day, unless the city, county, state, or federal government has authorized it in writing. Current through Ordinance 20739.
Unless exempted by section 4.084 of this code, the following acts are declared to be noise disturbances - however this enumeration shall not be deemed an exclusive list of the violations of section 4.080(2) or section 4.081 of this code, nor shall the recitation of specific prohibitions below be deemed the exclusive and entire listing of unlawful noise disturbances for each subcategory.
(a) Sound producing, amplifying or reproducing equipment. Operating or permitting the use or operation of any device designed for sound production, amplification, or reproduction, including but not limited to a radio, drums and other musical instruments, phonograph, television set, tape recorder, loud speaker, or other similar device:
(2) On public property or on a public right-of-way so as to be plainly audible fifty feet or more from such device, except as specifically authorized in writing by the city, county, state or federal government.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026).
Full Breakdown
083(a) declares it a noise disturbance to operate 'any device designed for sound production, amplification, or reproduction, including but not limited to a radio, drums and other musical instruments, phonograph, television set, tape recorder, loud speaker, or other similar device' under two circumstances. ' That written-authorization exception is how the city permits sound at street fairs, farmers markets, and permitted public events; without it, amplified music or a PA system audible 50 feet away on a sidewalk, park, or plaza violates the section regardless of the hour.
080 if it endangers health, annoys a reasonable person, or damages property. 081 makes it unlawful for anyone responsible for a noise disturbance from 'electronically amplified sound or a gathering of five or more people' to fail to stop it within 30 minutes of a citation or to repeat the same disturbance within six months.
Violations & Fines
Violating EC 4.083 exposes a person to EC 4.995's general penalty, up to $500 or 100 days in jail, or both, and EC 4.996(7) separately authorizes the city manager to impose an administrative civil penalty under EC 2.018 for violations of EC 4.083 through 4.084 without a criminal citation. A second violation within six months under EC 4.081 adds its own citation exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play amplified music in a Eugene park?
Is there a decibel limit for amplified sound in Eugene?
What happens if I get a warning for loud amplified sound and it happens again?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Eugene
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