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Multnomah County, OR Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

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

Construction hours in Multnomah County, OR, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.

Key Facts

Governs
Unincorporated county only
Exception
Construction workers, normal operations
Base limits
50 dBA night / 60 dBA day
Portland
Separate city noise code applies

Summary

Unincorporated Multnomah County exempts construction crews from the county's dBA and plainly-audible sound limits during normal operations, so daytime jobsite noise generally isn't a Sound Control Law violation.

City-specific rules exist: Gresham, and Portland have their own construction hours rules that differ from Multnomah County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Notwithstanding § 15.269, the following exceptions from this subchapter are permitted: ... (F) Sounds caused by industrial, agricultural or construction organizations or workers during their normal operations.

View official code

Full Breakdown

The county Sound Control Law bans sound producing devices from exceeding 50 dBA (10pm-7am) or 60 dBA (7am-10pm) at a noise-sensitive property, or being plainly audible at night. Section 15.270 carves out an exception: sounds caused by industrial, agricultural or construction organizations or workers during their normal operations are not violations. Portland and the other cities (Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village) enforce their own separate noise codes and are not covered by this county exemption.

Violations & Fines

Normal-operations construction noise isn't cited. Noise outside that exception (e.g., not tied to construction work, or exceeding limits with no exception applying) is a Class A violation under § 15.999, fined per state law, with each day a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can construction crews run loud equipment at night in unincorporated Multnomah County?
The exception covers normal construction operations without a fixed time window, but the underlying law still targets plainly audible nighttime sound, so predawn or late-night work risks a complaint even if daytime work is clearly exempt.
Does this exemption apply inside Portland?
No. Portland has its own Title 18 noise code; this county exemption only covers unincorporated areas outside Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Multnomah County

Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsDecibel LimitsFew RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsVehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsAircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSignificant RestrictionsFire Regulations: Outdoor BurningSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only RuleSome RestrictionsWater Use Rules: Recycled Water RulesSome RestrictionsDrone Rules: Recreational DronesSome Restrictions

All Multnomah County rules

How Multnomah County compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon noise ordinances overview

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Construction Hours in Cities Across Multnomah County

Portland, ORGresham, OR