Multnomah County, OR Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Notwithstanding § 15.269, the following exceptions from this subchapter are permitted:

(A) Sounds caused by organized athletic or other group activities, when those activities are conducted on property generally used for those purposes, including stadiums, parks, schools, churches, athletic fields, racetracks, airports and waterways, provided, however, that this exception shall not impair the Sheriff's power to declare the event or activities otherwise to violate other laws, ordinances or regulations.

(B) Sounds caused by emergency work, or by the ordinary and accepted use of emergency equipment, vehicles and apparatus, whether or not the work is performed by a public or private agency, upon public or private property.

(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 this chapter.

(S-1 2025)

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Multnomah County – Sheriff

(E) Sound caused by blasting activities when performed under a permit issued by appropriate governmental authorities and only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding weekends, unless the permit expressly authorizes otherwise.

(F) Sounds caused by industrial, agricultural or construction organizations or workers during their normal operations.