Prince George's County, MD Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Measurement scale
- dBC allowed for 20-200 Hz sound
- Tonal/impulsive ceiling
- 5 dBA below the zone limit
- Effective residential night cap
- About 50 dBA for impulsive bass
- Where measured
- Loudest point on receiving property
- Enforcer
- Dept. of Permitting, Inspections & Enforcement
Summary
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).
(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....(6)For an alleged noise disturbance which results in part from low frequency sound (20-200 Hz), the maximum allowable noise levels may be measured dBC.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Standard A-weighted (dBA) sound meters roll off low frequencies the way the human ear does at normal volumes, which under-measures heavy bass from subwoofers, car stereos, and nightclub sound systems. 1), which captures bass energy that a standard dBA reading would miss. A related but separate standard in § 19-122(a)(2) targets 'a prominent discrete tone or impulsive noise,' setting its ceiling 5 dBA below the ordinary zone limit in the § 19-122(a)(1) table, meaning a residential property's night limit effectively falls from 55 dBA to 50 dBA for a tonal or impulsive source, such as bass-heavy music with a repetitive beat, weapons fire, a pile driver, or a punch press.
Both standards are measured at the point on the receiving property, the neighbor's yard or window, where the source's noise is loudest, using Department-approved equipment adopted under § 19-126. The Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement, County police, or the Animal Control Division for animal noise can respond to a bass complaint, and the same 'noise disturbance' definition at § 19-121(11) lets an officer cite a persistent low-frequency thump even if a single dBC reading falls under the numeric ceiling, so long as it is unusual for the time or place and detrimental to a neighbor's use of their property.
Violations & Fines
A low-frequency or bass-noise violation carries the same penalty as any other noise offense: a misdemeanor on first conviction, up to $1,000 or 30 days in jail, and up to $1,500 for a repeat violation, with each day treated separately (§ 19-124(a)). The Director or an enforcement officer may issue a civil citation instead, and repeated citations against one address within a year let the County notify and then cite the owner or landlord (§ 19-125). Contested citations go to the Administrative Court (§ 19-124(c)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does PG County use a different sound scale for bass complaints?
Is thumping bass held to a stricter limit than regular noise?
Where does the County measure a bass noise complaint?
Can I be cited for bass noise even if my dBC reading is under the limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland noise from specific sources overview
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