About the Noise Program — Intro
About the Noise Program
Source: About the Noise Program ↗
About our program
As Portland’s population grows, the need to equitably address environmental health issues like noise pollution is increasingly important. The Noise Program supports the city’s lively spirit, safety, and health by reviewing requests for City noise code variances for exciting and essential events — like music festivals, the Portland Marathon, and construction— and educates the public on the health issue of urban noise pollution by enforcing the City’s Noise Code, Title 18.
We live in a vibrant city with many events. Naturally, some of the events happening around Portland are expected to be louder than our Noise Code allows. When this happens, the Noise Program issues a noise variance to allow the event to take place by following certain terms. Some of the many variance requests we process each year include music events like the Rose Festival, the Waterfront Blues Festival, the Oregon Humane Society's Doggie Dash, the Portland Marathon, and numerous weddings in our neighborhood parks.
We also process many construction-related noise code variance requests, which allow construction to take place outside of normal hours. Our work extends to partnering with various agencies involved in the repair and replacement of critical infrastructure like sewers, bridges, and roads. This collaboration aims to strike a balance between ensuring residents' rest, addressing safety concerns, and mitigating traffic disruptions. Additionally, we cooperate with commercial construction projects, contributing to alleviating housing shortages and facilitating an environment for businesses to flourish.
The Noise Program's primary focus
Our program's primary focus is to address and educate the public on the following types of noise disturbances within Portland city limits:
- Amplified sounds (music, events, parades, amplified announcements)
- Commercial and industrial operations
- HVAC equipment
- Motor vehicles (only when incidents are tied to a specific property or location, not mobile noise issues)
- Home equipment and powered tools
- Leaf blowers
- Construction and construction equipment
To report any of these types of noise disturbances:
We have environmental staffing to work on noise pollution from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Night investigations are only conducted after all other options to resolve a case have failed. The Noise Program does not have the staffing levels to function as a nighttime first-response agency. Our environmental cases require us to build a comprehensive case before taking further action. If the sound issue continues to exceed permitted sound levels, we will collaborate with you to gather facts and determine the next steps to be taken.
Applying for a noise variance ↗
Get involved!
The Noise Review Board works to improve neighborhood livability by striking a balance between sound-generating activities related to construction and special events, and the desire for livable communities. The board reviews applications for noise variance permits for large events and construction that impact a lot of people and take place over a long period of time. The board also works with the Noise Program to advise and make recommendations to the Portland City Council on sound-related code and policy decisions.
Upcoming Noise Review Board meetings ↗.
Find out about the Noise Review Board ↗.