Noise Ordinances in Howard County, MD (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Because Howard County has essentially no incorporated towns, the County Code governs all residents including Columbia and Ellicott City. Section 8.900 defines nighttime hours as 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and bars noise received on residential property above the state COMAR 26.02.03 limits, which drop to 55 dBA at night.
Howard County: Nighttime Quiet Hours Are 10 p.m.–7 a.m.
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 8.900
A person may not cause or permit noise levels emanating from any property, such that the levels received on residential property exceed the levels contained in table 2 of COMAR 26.02.03.03A.(1).
Construction Hours
Construction and demolition noise in Howard County is governed by the state standard the County Code adopts. COMAR 26.02.03.02 lets construction sites reach 90 dBA during daytime hours (7 a.m.–10 p.m.) but requires them to meet the ordinary residential limits (55 dBA) at night.
Howard County: Construction Capped at 90 dBA in Daytime
Some RestrictionsCOMAR 26.02.03.02C
A person may not cause or permit noise levels emanating from construction or demolition site activities which exceed: (a) 90 dBA during daytime hours; (b) The levels specified in Table 1 during nighttime hours.
Barking Dogs
Howard County has no stand-alone barking-dog law. Instead, County Code § 17.302 lists a domesticated animal that 'disturbs the public peace' as a nuisance, enforced by the Animal Control Division. A citation carries an escalating fine, and three nuisance citations against the same animal or owner within 24 months lets the Administrator formally declare the animal, residence, or facility a nuisance.
Howard County: Barking Dogs Are a Nuisance Violation
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 17.302(a)(9), (b)
(a)Definition. A nuisance occurs when:(1)A domesticated animal runs at large; ... (9)A domesticated animal disturbs the public peace;(10)A domesticated animal damages the property of persons other than the animal's owner; or(11)The odor of a domesticated animal fouls the air and creates an unreasonable annoyance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the a...
Leaf Blower Rules
Howard County has no dedicated leaf-blower ordinance. Section 8.900 expressly exempts lawn-care and snow-removal equipment used during daytime hours (7 a.m.–10 p.m.) when maintained to manufacturer specs. Running that equipment at night can still violate the residential noise limits.
Howard County: No Leaf-Blower Ban; Daytime Yard Work Exempt
Few RestrictionsHoward County Code § 8.900
Daytime hours means 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., local time. Nighttime hours means 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., local time.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Howard County has no separate amplified-sound permit, so loud music is judged against Section 8.900 and the COMAR 26.02.03 table. Amplified music received on residential property may not exceed 65 dBA daytime or 55 dBA at night, and electronically amplified event sound is not exempt.
Howard County: Amplified Music Must Meet the dBA Limits
Some RestrictionsCOMAR 26.02.03.02B(1)
A person may not cause or permit noise levels which exceed those specified in this table except as provided in §B(2) or (3), or §C, of this regulation.
Aircraft Noise
Howard County's noise ordinance does not regulate aircraft. Section 8.900(d)(7) exempts aircraft and related airport operations at any airport licensed by the State Aviation Administration from the dBA limits that otherwise apply to noise reaching residential property, so flight and ground operations at licensed airports are not enforceable violations under this section.
Aircraft Noise Is Exempt in Howard County
Few RestrictionsHoward County Code § 8.900(d)(7)
(d)Exemptions. The provisions of this section do not apply to:(1)Devices used solely for the purpose of warning, protecting, or alerting the public, or some segment thereof, of the existence of an emergency situation;(2)Household tools and portable appliances in normal usage;...(6)Motor vehicles on public roads;(7)Aircraft and related airport operations at airports licensed by the State Aviatio...
Decibel Limits
Howard County adopts COMAR 26.02.03 for industrial and commercial noise. Noise received on industrial property may not exceed 75 dBA at any hour, and on commercial property 67 dBA daytime or 62 dBA nighttime. When a source is commercial or industrial, the county health department may enforce the limits.
Howard County: Industrial Noise Capped at 75 dBA
Some RestrictionsCOMAR 26.02.03.02 Table 1
Maximum Allowable Noise Levels (dBA): Industrial — Day 75, Night 75; Commercial — Day 67, Night 62; Residential — Day 65, Night 55.
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