Neighbor Problems

Not an uncommon problem, nor is it a new one. Ongoing problems with neighbors can begin with something as simple as a polite request to turn down the music late at night, or as not to mow the lawn so early. Many times someone’s first instinct is to call the police to solve the problem. Depending on what is actually occurring, the police may have no recourse in the matter whatsoever. In addition, calling the police on your neighbors may only escalate the problem (“well, he called the police on us”). This is not in any way meant to say don’t call the police. Police officers are typically good mediators, but not always the solution. We strongly recommend for you to try and work the problem out with your neighbor prior to calling the police.

Specific Types Of Problems & How To Deal With Them:

Noise, Noise, Noise
(Troutdale Municipal Code # 8.24.035 Unreasonable noises prohibited states: A noise is unreasonable when two or more of the following criteria exist-

The noise is made between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am.
The noise is plainly audible within a noise sensitive unit (basically any other building structure).
The noise is amplified by a machine, or object.
The tone of the noise is abnormally high or low.
The noise remains constant for at least five minutes.
The noise is repeated at least three times within a 30 minute period.

Note: As a general rule, any plainly audible noise you are able to hear that is coming from a different location than you are between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am will fall under the noise ordinance.

The maximum penalty for violation of the Troutdale Noise Ordinance carries a $500 fine.

Barking Dogs
(Multnomah County Animal Control is contracted to enforce animal related complaints in Troutdale).

If you have a neighbor with a dog that barks constantly, first try to talk to the neighbor and solve the problem yourself.
If this does not work you may call Multnomah County Animal Control at 503-988-3066.

Note: if an animal is an immediate threat to any person call 911.

The City Of Troutdale Has a Code Compliance Division.

The services provided by the Code Compliance Division are:

Investigating building and planning violations
Investigating abandoned vehicles
Investigating illegal dumping
Issuing parking violations
Investigating nuisance conditions such as high weeds
Performing erosion control inspections
Issuing sign permits
Issuing NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits

You can contact Jack Hanna, Code Compliance Officer at 503-491-4009, or by e-mail: click

WHEN ALL ELSE HAS FAILED: THERE IS A FREE SERVICE AVAILABLE TO EAST MULTNOMAH COUNTY RESIDENTS

East Metro Mediation
Located at 133 NW Eastman Parkway in Gresham, 503-618-FAIR or e-mail mediate@ci.gresham.or.us

In closing, we all live in close quarters within the City, and in turn we will always have some sort of difficulty with neighbors in one-way or another. Remember, it’s how we deal with those problems that shape our community and each of us individually.