City Council: Please Strengthen LO's Noise Ordinance
- Derrith Schmidt
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Lake Oswego's current noise ordinance does not protect neighbors from the noise of gas powered blowers. The City Council’s 2025 adopted goals included an initiative to develop options for phasing out use of gas-powered yard and lawn care equipment in Lake Oswego.
What Lake Oswego's noise ordinance currently covers
Lake Oswego has a broad prohibition against “unnecessary loud or disturbing noise” at any time of day. It also has more specific rules for particular types of noise.
The current ordinance addresses:
Animals — animals that make frequent or continuing noise that disturbs people nearby.
Vehicle horns and signal devices — generally prohibited except when necessary to warn of danger or for authorized emergency vehicles.
Mechanical equipment — mechanical devices powered by compressed air, steam, gasoline, etc., must be effectively muffled.
Construction noise — specific hours apply to construction, excavation, demolition, alteration and repair, with different rules for residential and nonresidential areas.
Amplified sound/music — radios, TVs, musical instruments, stereos, loudspeakers and similar devices are restricted between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. when plainly audible inside another dwelling.
Late-night gatherings — noise from people gathered on public or private property between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. can violate the ordinance when plainly audible inside another dwelling, after a warning/request to reduce the noise.
Sirens/gongs on vehicles — prohibited except for authorized emergency vehicles.
There's also the broader “unnecessary loud or disturbing noise” provision, which means something doesn't necessarily have to fit one of those specific categories to potentially violate the ordinance.
There are more concerns that the Sustainability Network has raised about gas powered blowers than noise: Gas blowers also emit carcinogens, dessicate the soil, and contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Learn more
Talk to our OTNA Board member Betsy Wosko to learn more
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