Portland City Council Unanimously Passes Councilor Dunphys Noise Ordinance Reform in Emergency Vote, Just in Time for Summer Music Season

The Portland City Council unanimously passed a noise ordinance on June 25, consolidating the city's noise code and enhancing enforcement transparency. This reform replaces the old "plainly audible" standard, prioritizing objective decibel measurements for noise complaints. Councilor Jamie Dunphy stated the changes support musicians, small businesses, and neighborhoods, fostering cultural vibrancy within the city. Advocacy from groups like MusicPortland and local venue operators played a critical role in pushing for this legislation, which the Noise Review Board officially endorsed. David “DJ OG One” Jackson praised the ordinance for promoting fairness and equity in noise enforcement, particularly for marginalized artists.

He noted that subjective standards often lead to bias, emphasizing the need for clearer rules. The ordinance includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately, just in time for Portland's peak summer music season. This change is expected to improve the city's creative economy and community livability.