Noise Ordinances in Baltimore County, MD (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Baltimore County bans domestic noise, vocal, radio, instrument, or household-tool sound, that unreasonably disturbs neighbors' peace and quiet, with no fixed clock hours. A first conviction can bring a $500 fine or 90 days in jail; repeat offenses raise the minimum fine, and landlords can be cited too.
Baltimore County Domestic Noise Prohibition
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 17-3-103
(b)Domestic noise.(1)"Domestic noise" means noise related to human activity that is not created by machinery, tools, mechanical devices, or equipment used in connection with a business purpose.(2)"Domestic noise" includes noises produced:(i)Vocally;(ii)With a radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph or any other device intended for the production or reproduction of sound; or(iii)By a...
Construction Hours
Baltimore County's Title 3 noise code sets no specific countywide construction-hour window. Construction noise is instead governed by Maryland's COMAR daytime dB limits (65 dBA residential, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.), with a stricter 55 dBA cap overnight. Check your municipality for tighter local hours.
Construction Noise Hours in Baltimore County
Some RestrictionsCOMAR 26.02.03.02
Table 1 Maximum Allowable Noise Levels (dBA): Residential Day 65, Night 55; Commercial Day 67, Night 62; Industrial Day 75, Night 75.
Barking Dogs
Baltimore County has no separate barking-dog statute; persistent barking is enforced under the county's domestic noise ban, which prohibits creating noise that unreasonably disturbs neighbors, backed up by the animal code's own public-nuisance-animal standard for excessive noise.
Baltimore County Domestic Noise Ban Covers Barking
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 17-3-103; § 17-3-105
A person may not create domestic noise or allow domestic noise to be created that unreasonably disturbs the peace, quiet, and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants. (1988 Code, § 20-47) [...] (a) Criminal. A person who violates § 17-3-103 of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to: (1) A fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both for a f...
Leaf Blower Rules
Baltimore County has no leaf-blower-specific ban or hour restriction in its code. Gas leaf blowers must comply with Maryland's COMAR noise limits, which cap noise at 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime at a residential property line, effectively restricting use to daytime hours.
Leaf Blower Noise Rules in Baltimore County
Some RestrictionsCOMAR 26.02.03.02
Table 1 Maximum Allowable Noise Levels (dBA): Residential Day 65, Night 55; Commercial Day 67, Night 62; Industrial Day 75, Night 75.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
A Baltimore County business that plays live or DJ music must hold a live musical entertainment use permit from the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections. The permit lasts one year, cannot be transferred, and requires the music to stay within the noise levels set in COMAR. The zoning text sets the permit and the enforcement path, and points to COMAR for the decibel limits.
Baltimore County Live Music Use Permit and Noise Rule
Significant RestrictionsBCZR § 449.2(A)(1)-(2), (C), (E)
A.1.Notwithstanding other provisions in these regulations that permit live or recorded music as a principal or accessory use, live musical entertainment is permitted on property located in the B.L., B.L.R, C.B., B.M., B.R., B.M.M., B.M.B., B.M.Y.C., M.H., and M.L. Zones as an accessory use to a principal use in accordance with this section. ... 2.The owner of a property or lessor if authorized ...
Decibel Limits
Baltimore County uses Maryland's statewide COMAR 26.02.03 decibel limits, measured at the receiving property line: 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime for residential zones, 67/62 dBA commercial, and 75 dBA industrial day and night.
Decibel Limits in Baltimore County
Some RestrictionsCOMAR 26.02.03.02
A person may not cause or permit noise levels which exceed 70 dBA for air conditioning equipment at receiving residential property and 75 dBA for heat pump equipment at receiving residential property.
Vehicle Noise
Baltimore County's Code of Ordinances has no muffler provision. The vehicle noise it does regulate is a runaway automotive alarm: horns, bells, or sirens sounding continuously for more than 2 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or more than 4 hours between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The penalty is a civil fine of $50 to $500 per offense.
Baltimore County Car Alarm Limit: 2 Hours Night, 4 Day
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 13-11-101(c); § 13-11-102(a), (b)
(c)Public nuisance alarm. "Public nuisance alarm" means a residential, commercial, or automotive burglary or robbery alarm system with an audible noise enunciator including horns, bells, or sirens that sounds between the hours of:(1)10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and continuously sounds for more than 2 hours; or(2)6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and continuously sounds for more than 4 hours. ... (a)Prohibit...
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