5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in District of Columbia, District of Columbia.
Verified from official government sources
Washington DC enforces noise control under 20 DCMR Chapters 27-28, with residential limits of 60 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime measured at the property line. Quiet hours run 10 PM to 7 AM, during which enforcement may rely on subjective disturbance assessment rather than decibel readings.
DC regulates construction noise under 20 DCMR 2803, with specific decibel limits for construction activities in residential zones. Construction work generating excessive noise is generally restricted during nighttime quiet hours (10 PM to 7 AM) and requires DOB permits.
DC treats excessive dog barking as a noise disturbance under 20 DCMR Chapters 27-28 and as a potential animal control issue under DC Code 8-1808. Dogs causing persistent noise that disturbs neighbors may result in citations from Animal Care and Control or DOEE noise enforcement.
D.C. Code § 8-1808(c), (k), (n) — Animal care and prohibited conduct
(c)(1) An owner or custodian shall not leave his or her animal outdoors without human accompaniment or adequate shelter for more than 15 minutes during periods of extreme weather, unless the age, condition, and type of each animal allows the animal to withstand extreme weather. (2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to cats. [...] (k)(1) A person shall not sponsor, promote, train ...
The District of Columbia enforces one of the nation's strictest leaf blower laws. Under the Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act of 2018 (DC Law 22-169), the sale and use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers has been banned District-wide since January 1, 2022. Only electric and battery-powered blowers are permitted, and all leaf blowers must stay below 70 dBA measured at 50 feet.
Amplified music in DC is regulated under DCMR Title 20 Chapter 27 and DC Code section 22-1321 (disorderly conduct). Residential noise limits are 60 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime at the property line. Public amplified events require a Public Space permit from DDOT plus MPD coordination, and nightlife venues operate under ABCA license conditions.
1 cities in District of Columbia have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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