Portland, OR Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

No person may drive a motor vehicle on a public highway unless it is equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise.

B. No person may operate, and no owner of any motor vehicle may permit to be operated upon any public road, street, or highway, any motor vehicle so as to cause any greater noise or sound than is reasonably necessary for the proper operation of such motor vehicle.

1. No person may operate a motor vehicle on a street or highway with an exhaust system utilizing a cutout, bypass or similar device.

2. No person may operate a motor vehicle in such a manner as to cause or allow to be emitted squealing, screeching, or other such noise from the tires in contact with the ground because of rapid acceleration or excessive speed around corners or other such reason, except that noise resulting from emergency action to avoid imminent danger is exempt from this provision.

3. No person may operate any motor vehicle in excess of 10,000 pounds GCWR, in any residential zone of the City or within 200 feet of any dwelling unit, school, hospital or library, with a dynamic braking device engaged except to avoid imminent danger.

C. No person may operate and no owner of property may permit the operation of an off‑road recreational vehicle so as to exceed the noise emission standards of: