Portland council debates noise complaint enforcement changes [Video]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland City Council is considering changing its rules around how noise complaints should be enforced, with some arguing that the current policy has disproportionately affected Black, Indigenous and people of color-owned businesses and cultural events, self-employed musicians and small vendors.

Per the code, Portland has two different ways to enforce noise complaints: one based on a system measuring noise decibels, Title 18 “Noise Control.” It outlines set requirements for when, what and where sounds can be, such as how loud someone’s music is allowed to be in a residential neighborhood at night. It also outlines how the sound should be measured. All this requires equipment to take sound pressure readings, which historically the Portland Police Bureau did not carry, according to the city.

Due to this, the other more …