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
§ 17-3-103. - PROHIBITED. 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)... § 17-3-105. - PENALTY. (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 impris...
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
Loud amplified music from a home or party is banned as domestic noise under Baltimore County Code § 17-3-103 when it 'unreasonably disturbs' neighbors. Maryland COMAR also caps residential noise at 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime at the property line.
Amplified Music Rules in Baltimore County
Some RestrictionsCOMAR 26.02.03.02
A person may not cause or permit the emission of prominent discrete tones and periodic noises which exceed a level which is 5 dBA lower than the applicable level listed in Table 1.
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
Loud vehicles, revving engines, and modified exhaust in Baltimore County are governed by Maryland state motor-vehicle and COMAR noise law rather than a county ordinance. COMAR caps residential-line noise at 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime; state law bans defective or excessively loud exhaust systems.
Vehicle 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.
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