Howard County, MD Noise from Specific Sources: HVAC & Mechanical Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- AC noise limit
- 70 dBA at receiving property
- Heat pump noise limit
- 75 dBA at receiving property
- Max fine
- $100
- First offense class
- Class E civil offense
- Meter standard
- ANSI S1.4-1971 Type II
Summary
Howard County caps residential air-conditioning noise at 70 dBA and heat-pump noise at 75 dBA as measured at a neighbor's residential property. The limit sits inside the county's general noise ordinance as its own numeric standard, and the Health Department can pursue civil penalties for HVAC noise coming from commercial or industrial property.
(14)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.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).
Full Breakdown
02B that governs most other sources under this ordinance. The rule reads: 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. 900. 4-1971 Type II specifications. 00, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both. The Howard County Police Department may instead pursue a civil citation under Title 24 of the County Code, and the Health Department has independent civil-penalty authority when the offending noise originates from commercial or industrial property rather than a residence. A first civil violation is classified as a Class E offense; a second or later violation escalates to a Class D offense.
Violations & Fines
A first violation is a Class E civil offense; repeat violations escalate to Class D. Criminally, exceeding the 70 dBA air-conditioning or 75 dBA heat-pump limit is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $100.00 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both. The Police Department enforces residential complaints; the Health Department enforces complaints tied to commercial or industrial equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can my neighbor's heat pump legally run in Howard County?
Is the AC noise limit different at night?
Who do I call if a business's rooftop AC unit is too loud?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howard County
Compare Howard County to another location·View the Maryland noise from specific sources overview
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