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Hillsboro, OR Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governs
HMC § 6.24.040(A), (D)
Horns
Only as danger signal
Exhaust brakes
Emergency stops only
Threshold
Exceeds HMC 6.24.030 limits

Summary

Hillsboro bans motor vehicle horns except as danger signals, restricts exhaust brake use to emergencies, and prohibits operating any vehicle so as to create loud or unnecessary sounds, grating, grinding, or rattling noise.

Sounding of any horn, signal or other device on a motor vehicle, while in motion, except as a danger signal. Exhaust brakes may only be applied to stop or slow during an emergency;B.Use of sound-producing devices including musical instruments, loudspeakers, amplifying devices, public address systems, radios, television sets, computers and any other electronic devices that play back audio or audio video recordings;C.Operation of any gong or siren upon any vehicle, other than police, fire or other emergency vehicle, except during sanctioned parades;D.Use of any motor vehicle in such a condition or manner so as to create loud or unnecessary sounds, grating, grinding, rattling or other noise;

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 1).

Full Breakdown

HMC 6.24.040(A) makes it a noise violation to sound a vehicle horn, signal, or other device while in motion except as a danger signal, and limits exhaust (engine) brakes to stopping or slowing during an emergency. Subsection (D) separately bars operating any motor vehicle in a condition or manner that creates loud or unnecessary sounds, grating, grinding, rattling, or other noise. Both provisions apply only when the resulting noise exceeds the citywide sound-level limits set in HMC 6.24.030, unless the vehicle traffic falls under the regular-traffic exception in HMC 6.24.050(G).

Violations & Fines

Violating a vehicle-noise provision is enforced as a noise ordinance violation under HMC Chapter 6.24, subject to citation; each instance of excessive vehicle noise or unauthorized exhaust-brake use can be cited separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my engine/exhaust brake in Hillsboro?
Only to stop or slow during an emergency. HMC 6.24.040(A) limits exhaust brake use to emergencies and treats other use as a horn/signal noise violation.
Is a loud aftermarket exhaust illegal in Hillsboro?
Yes if it creates loud or unnecessary sounds, grating, grinding, or rattling noise exceeding the city's sound limits. HMC 6.24.040(D) makes that a violation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hillsboro

All Hillsboro rules

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