Annapolis, MD Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential limit
- 65 dBA day / 55 dBA night
- Office/mixed-use limit
- 67 dBA day / 62 dBA night
- Commercial/industrial limit
- 75 dBA day and night
- Daytime hours
- 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Enforcer
- Planning & Zoning Director or Police Chief
Summary
Annapolis caps outdoor sound by zoning district and time of day: 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime in residential zones, with higher limits in mixed-use and commercial districts.
The maximum allowable decibel noise levels shall follow the Code of Maryland Regulations 26.02.03.02 (Environmental Noise Standards). The following chart shows sound levels allowed in specific City of Annapolis zoning districts. Residential zoning districts, as identified in Chapter 21.40 | 65 dBA | 55 dBA. Office and mixed use districts, as identified in Chapter 21.44 | 67 dBA | 62 dBA. Commercial and industrial zoning districts as identified in Chapter 21.42 | 75 dBA | 75 dBA.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2025 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Annapolis Code § 11.12.020 sets numeric decibel limits by zoning district and time of day, adopting the Maryland noise regulations (COMAR 26.02.03.02) as its baseline standard. Residential districts (Chapter 21.40) are capped at 65 dBA during daytime hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and 55 dBA at night (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Office and mixed-use districts (Chapter 21.44) allow 67 dBA day and 62 dBA night, while commercial and industrial districts (Chapter 21.42) allow 75 dBA around the clock. Boat noise measured from land follows the same limits. The Director of Planning and Zoning or the Police Chief enforces the ordinance and need not issue a warning before citing a violator.
Violations & Fines
Violations are municipal infractions enforced by the Director of Planning and Zoning or Police Chief without a required warning; each repeat offense by the same person or property owner is cited at the next-highest fine tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the noise limit change at night in Annapolis?
Do boats have to follow the same decibel limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Annapolis
Compare Annapolis to another location·View the Maryland noise ordinances overview
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