TL;DR (generated, confidence: high)

The Title 18 Noise Control Code regulates noise within Portland city limits to promote health and protect property value and quality of life, covering specific noise sources like amplified sounds and construction while excluding animal noises, aircraft, and emergency devices.

Key points:

Title 18 Noise Control Code applies only within City of Portland limits, not unincorporated Multnomah or Washington Counties (Learn about the Title 18 Noise Control Code ↗)
Defines noise disturbance as any sound that injures/endangers safety/health of humans or annoys/disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities (Learn about the Title 18 Noise Control Code ↗)
Regulated noise sources: amplified sounds, commercial/industrial operations, residential HVAC equipment, home equipment and powered tools, leaf blowers, construction and construction equipment (Learn about the Title 18 Noise Control Code ↗)
Not regulated: animal noises, birds (chickens/roosters), aircraft, trains (federal), vehicles, watercraft, garbage/recycling, human voices, children at play, daycare operations, emergency warning devices (Learn about the Title 18 Noise Control Code ↗)
Code aims to reduce unnecessary and extreme sound to preserve property use/value, business conduct, and enable sleep and relaxation (Learn about the Title 18 Noise Control Code ↗)
Noise Program focuses on enforcement within Portland city limits and public education about regulated noise types (Learn about the Title 18 Noise Control Code ↗)

Entities: code: Title 18 | regulation: Noise Control Code · Noise Code | jurisdiction: City of Portland | program: Noise Program | location: Multnomah County · Washington County

Learn about the Title 18 Noise Control Code

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Source: Learn about the Title 18 Noise Control Code ↗ Last modified: Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:07:22 GMT

What is and is not covered by the noise code

The Title 18 Noise Control Code ↗ is intended to control the level of noise in a manner that promotes health and the common good. The Noise Code works to reduce unnecessary and extreme sound in the environment to preserve the use, value, and enjoyment of property; conduct of business; and sleep and relaxation. The Noise Code covers noise issues within the City of Portland limits and does not extend to unincorporated Multnomah or Washington Counties.

The City of Portland’s Noise Code ↗ (Title 18) defines a noise disturbance is any sound which: “(a) injures or endangers the safety or health of humans; or (b) annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities.” The Noise Code typically addresses issues like excessive noise during late-night or early-morning hours, noise levels above allowable limits for certain areas (residential, commercial, etc.), or continuous noise from activities like construction, amplified sound, or equipment.

The Noise Program's primary focus is to address and educate the public on the types of noise regulated by the Noise Code within Portland City limits, including:

Amplified sounds (speech, music, events, parades)
Commercial and industrial operations
Residential HVAC equipment
Motor vehicles (in rare cases)
Home equipment and powered tools
Leaf blowers
Construction and construction equipment

Based on the Noise Code, the Noise Program does not have the authority to address the following types of noise disturbances:

Animal noises from residences (i.e., barking dogs)
Chickens/roosters and urban wildlife
Aircraft-in-flight
Train activity regulated by Federal Code
Vehicle noise
Watercraft
Garbage/recycling noise
Noise from human voices
Children at play
Daycare operations
Emergency warning devices