Washington County, MD Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential line limit
- 55 dB continuous / 60 dB impact
- Commercial line limit
- 64 dB continuous / 70 dB impact
- PI-zoned lot limit
- 70 dB continuous / 80 dB impact
- Measured with
- Sound level meter, fast response for impact
- Same table also governs
- ORI District, Sec. 21B.5(b)
- Civil fine
- Up to $500/day, Sec. 26.2.1
Summary
Washington County's Zoning Ordinance caps industrial sound at a residential property line to 55 decibels continuous and 60 decibels impact under Section 18.97(b). Commercial lines allow 64/70 decibels and another PI-zoned lot allows 70/80 decibels. The identical table governs the Office Research Industrial District under Section 21B.5(b).
(a) Noise will be measured with a sound level meter. Impact noise will be measured using the fast response of the sound level meter. Impact noises are intermittent sounds such as from a punch press or drop force hammer. (b) The following table describes the maximum sound pressure level permitted from any industrial source as measured at any property line adjacent to a residential district, commercial district, other PI zoned lot, or other non-industrial use. MAXIMUM PERMITTED SOUND LEVELS, DB(A). Sound Measured to: Decibels Continuous Slow Meter Response, Impact Fast Meter Response. Residential District 55, 60. Commercial District 64, 70. Other PI Zoned Lot 70, 80.
Full Breakdown
97 of Article 18, the "PI" Planned Industrial District, sets Washington County's numeric noise ceiling in the Zoning Ordinance. Subsection (a) requires noise to be measured with a sound level meter, using the meter's fast response for "impact" noises such as those from a punch press or drop-force hammer. Subsection (b)'s table, titled "Maximum Permitted Sound Levels, dB(A)," fixes the ceiling by the zone on the other side of the property line: 55 decibels on the continuous slow-meter scale and 60 decibels on the impact fast-meter scale at a residential district line; 64/70 decibels at a commercial district line; and 70/80 decibels where the adjoining lot is another PI-zoned parcel.
5(b) of Article 21B, the "ORI" Office Research Industrial District, repeats the same 55/60, 64/70, 70/80 dB(A) table for permitted and special-exception uses there, so both of the county's industrial performance-standard districts share one noise ceiling. , agricultural activities, and emergency generators running during a power interruption. 101 before the Planning Commission approves it; there is no separate decibel table for residential or commercial zoning districts elsewhere in the county's Zoning Ordinance.
Violations & Fines
A Permits and Inspections Department zoning official can cite an operator exceeding the Section 18.97(b) sound levels, and Section 26.2.1 authorizes a civil fine up to $500 for each day the exceedance continues, due to the Washington County Treasurer within 15 days or it doubles. Section 26.1 separately makes any Zoning Ordinance violation a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine, each day a distinct offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the maximum industrial noise level allowed at a residential property line in Washington County?
Do commercial and other industrial neighbors get different noise limits?
Are any noise sources excused from the decibel table?
What happens if a facility exceeds the decibel limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
Compare Washington County to another location·View the Maryland noise ordinances overview
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