Noise from Specific Sources in Prince George's County, MD (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Prince George's County gives residential air conditioning and heat pump equipment its own, more lenient noise ceiling than the general dBA table. County Code § 19-123(b)(13) caps air conditioning noise at 70 dBA and heat pump noise at 75 dBA measured at a receiving residential property, both well above the ordinary 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime residential limits set in § 19-122(a)(1).
PG County HVAC Equipment Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 19-123(b)(13)
(13)Air conditioning or heat pump equipment used to cool or heat housing on residential property; for this equipment, 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;
Car Alarm Limits
Prince George's County treats a car alarm or horn sounded on private property as an illustrative violation of its noise ordinance. County Code § 19-122(c)(1) bars sounding a horn or other signaling device on a vehicle except in an emergency or as a daytime warning that stays within decibel limits. DPIE and county police enforce it, with fines up to $1,500 per repeat offense.
PG County Car Alarm Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 19-122(c)(1)
(b)Noise disturbance. A person must not cause or permit noise that creates a noise disturbance.(c)Examples. The following examples illustrate common noise-producing acts that violate this section if they exceed the noise level standards set in subsection (a) or create a noise disturbance. The examples are illustrative only and do not limit or expand the noise level or noise disturbance standard...
Delivery Truck Noise
Prince George's County's noise ordinance names loading and unloading trucks as an example of a noise-producing act that breaks the law. County Code § 19-122(c)(4) covers loading, unloading, opening, closing, or otherwise handling containers, building materials, or similar objects whenever the racket exceeds the zone's decibel limit or creates a noise disturbance, whether it happens at a loading dock, warehouse, or curbside stop.
PG County Delivery Truck Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 19-122(c)(4)
(c)Examples. The following examples illustrate common noise-producing acts that violate this section if they exceed the noise level standards set in subsection (a) or create a noise disturbance. The examples are illustrative only and do not limit or expand the noise level or noise disturbance standards of this section: ... (4)Loading, unloading, opening, closing or otherwise handling containers...
Low-Frequency Bass Limits
When a noise complaint centers on bass or other low-frequency sound between 20 and 200 Hz, Prince George's County lets inspectors switch their meter from the standard dBA scale to dBC under Code § 19-122(a)(6), and any 'prominent discrete tone or impulsive noise' still has to clear a ceiling 5 dBA stricter than the normal zone limit under § 19-122(a)(2).
PG County Low-Frequency Bass Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 19-122(a)(2), (a)(6)
(2)A person must not cause or permit the emission of a prominent discrete tone or impulsive noise that exceeds a level, at the location on a receiving property where noise from the source is greatest, that is 5 dBA lower than the level set in paragraph (1) for the applicable noise area and time. Impulsive noise may include, for example, noise from weapons fire, pile drivers, or punch presses......
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