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Noise Ordinances in Annapolis, MD (2026)

7 verified noise ordinances for Annapolis, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Quiet Hours

Annapolis cuts the legal decibel ceiling at 10 p.m. every night, dropping residential noise limits from 65 dBA to 55 dBA until 7 a.m.

Annapolis Nighttime Noise Limits

Some Restrictions

Annapolis City Code § 11.12.020(B)(2)(a)

In addition to state standards, the City of Annapolis noise standards shall include:a.Sound levels. The maximum allowable decibel noise levels shall follow the Code of Maryland Regulations 26.02.03.02 (Environmental Noise Standards). The following chart shows sound levels allowed in specific City of Annapolis zoning districts.... Daytime hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nighttime hours of 10 p.m. to ...

Construction Hours

Annapolis applies its citywide decibel-based noise ordinance to construction equipment: work sites must stay within the same daytime/nighttime dBA limits set for the zoning district, since the code carries no separate construction exemption.

Annapolis Construction Noise Standards

Some Restrictions

Annapolis City Code § 11.12.020

1.Code of Maryland Regulations 26.02.03.01 (Definitions) and 26.02.03.02 (Environmental Noise Standards) are adopted as the Environmental Noise Standards of the City of Annapolis.2.In addition to state standards, the City of Annapolis noise standards shall include:a.Sound levels. The maximum allowable decibel noise levels shall follow the Code of Maryland Regulations 26.02.03.02 (Environmental ...

Barking Dogs

Annapolis bans letting an animal disturb the quiet of a person or neighborhood, with a fine after one warning.

Annapolis Animal Noise Rule

Some Restrictions

Annapolis City Code § 8.04.030

Any person who owns, keeps, or has possession of an animal may not permit the animal to disturb the quiet of a person or the neighborhood. B. After one warning any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a municipal infraction and is subject to a fine as established by resolution of the City Council.

Leaf Blower Rules

Annapolis has banned gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums citywide since December 30, 2024, making all handheld, backpack, and walk-behind combustion models illegal to use anywhere in the city.

Annapolis Gas Leaf Blower Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Annapolis City Code § 11.12.020(C)(1)

C. Prohibited. The following are prohibited from being used in the City: 1. A combustion engine-powered, handheld, backpack, or walk-behind leaf blower or leaf vacuum as of December 30, 2024; 2. High-frequency sound emitters designed for animal or pet deterrence.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Annapolis caps outdoor sound, including amplified music, at 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime in residential zones, with higher limits downtown and in commercial districts, enforced under the city's adopted Maryland noise standards.

Annapolis Noise & Amplified Sound Limits

Some Restrictions

Annapolis City Code § 11.12.020

Sound levels. The maximum allowable decibel noise levels shall follow the Code of Maryland Regulations 26.02.03.02 (Environmental Noise Standards). The following chart shows sound levels allowed in specific City of Annapolis zoning districts. Residential zoning districts, as identified in Chapter 21.40 65 dBA 55 dBA

Decibel Limits

Annapolis caps outdoor sound by zoning district and time of day: 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime in residential zones, with higher limits in mixed-use and commercial districts.

Annapolis Noise Decibel Limits by Zoning District

Some Restrictions

Annapolis City Code § 11.12.020

The maximum allowable decibel noise levels shall follow the Code of Maryland Regulations 26.02.03.02 (Environmental Noise Standards). The following chart shows sound levels allowed in specific City of Annapolis zoning districts. Residential zoning districts, as identified in Chapter 21.40 | 65 dBA | 55 dBA. Office and mixed use districts, as identified in Chapter 21.44 | 67 dBA | 62 dBA. Commer...

Vehicle Noise

Annapolis adopts Maryland's COMAR 11.14.07.02 through .12 as the City's own Motor Vehicle Noise Standards, covering exhaust, muffler and general vehicle noise, enforced through the City's noise ordinance with municipal-infraction fines and no required warning.

Annapolis Motor Vehicle Noise Standards

Some Restrictions

Annapolis City Code § 11.12.020(B)(3)

3.Motor vehicle noise. Code of Maryland Regulations 11.14.07.02 through 11.14.07.12 are hereby adopted as the Motor Vehicle Noise Standards of the City of Annapolis.C.Prohibited. The following are prohibited from being used in the City:1.A combustion engine-powered, handheld, backpack, or walk-behind leaf blower or leaf vacuum as of December 30, 2024;2.High-frequency sound emitters designed for...

Looking for Anne Arundel County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Annapolis city rules.

Noise Ordinances in Anne Arundel County