Benton County, OR Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Noise limit
- 82 decibels or below, A scale, at 100 feet
- Applies to
- Off-road vehicle use, not public streets
- Racing exception
- Designated organized racing events
- Max penalty
- 30 days jail and/or $1,000 fine
Summary
Off-road vehicles operated in unincorporated Benton County must run a muffling device that keeps exhaust and motor noise at 82 decibels or below, measured at 100 feet, and cannot make loud or unnecessary noise that disturbs another person. The rule applies to off-road use, not to ordinary street driving.
14.105 - Prohibitions. No person shall operate a vehicle off road: ... (3)Without an operating muffling device which shall effectively maintain exhaust and motor noise at the level of 82 decibels or below on the "A" scale at 100 feet under testing procedures established by the Department of State Police; however, vehicles used in organized racing events in an area designated for that purpose may use a bypass or cutoff device.(4)In a manner which causes any loud or unnecessary noise which annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, health, safety, or peace of any other person.
Full Breakdown
005 as any movable mechanical device powered by something other than human power, used off a public highway, street or road, excluding vehicles used for logging or agricultural purposes. 105(3) requires an operating muffling device that effectively maintains exhaust and motor noise at 82 decibels or below on the A scale at 100 feet, under testing procedures the Department of State Police establishes; vehicles used in organized racing events in a designated area are allowed to run a bypass or cutoff device instead. 105(4) separately bars operating an off-road vehicle in a manner that causes loud or unnecessary noise that annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, health, safety or peace of any other person, a broader catch-all beyond the numeric muffler standard.
The same section also prohibits excessive speed, negligent operation that endangers people or property, and off-road use that exposes soil or damages vegetation or crops. Because the chapter defines 'off road' as anywhere that is not a public highway, street or road, these decibel and noise standards govern trail and open-land vehicle use in the unincorporated county rather than vehicle noise on public streets.
Violations & Fines
A person violating Chapter 14, including the 82-decibel muffler standard or the loud-noise prohibition, can be cited and, upon conviction in Circuit Court, punished by up to 30 days in the county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, plus the costs of the proceedings, under § 14.205.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the noise limit for off-road vehicles in Benton County?
Does this off-road noise rule cover cars and trucks on public roads?
What is the penalty for violating the off-road vehicle noise rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Benton County
Compare Benton County to another location·View the Oregon noise ordinances overview
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