Portland Simplifies Noise Pollution Laws by Combining Codes into a Single, Tech-Supported Standard

PORTLAND, Ore. — Amendments to existing local government legislation on noise pollution codes and their enforcement in Portland are under the spotlight. Officials have decided to consolidate two existing noise enforcement codes into one, less conflicting rule of law.

Portland has two separate noise enforcement codes – Title 18 Noise Control, a civil system that applies objective, measurable standards via decibel-based enforcement, and Sections 14A.30.010 and 14A.30.020 (Nuisance Noise), a subjective, complaint-driven system based on “plainly audible” standards, which have led to inconsistent enforcement.

Officials want to repeal Title 14 and amend Title 18. The proposed amendment states that people no longer depend on their ears to decipher if a sound is too loud because of technological advancements, such as cell phones, which can ‘do the work.’

City-issued mobile devices include a sound pressure level measurement that makes noise complaints objective and measurable criteria for violations of the code.

The City of Portland has made only six arrests in the last nine years for violations of its noise codes.