Charles County, MD Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Charles County, MD, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Daytime hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Nighttime hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Measured at
- Property line of the receiving property
- Enforcing agency
- Health Department, Director of Environmental Health
- First violation fine
- Up to $500 civil infraction
- Repeat violation fine
- Up to $1,000
- Adopted
- Bill No. 2004-01, effective 3-7-2005
Summary
Charles County splits its noise limits into two clocks: daytime runs 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and nighttime runs 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with the nighttime hours carrying markedly stricter decibel ceilings under Chapter 260's Table 260-1, enforced at the property line of whoever is receiving the noise.
DAYTIME Between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., local time. ... NIGHTTIME Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., local time. ... It is prohibited for any person located within the County to make any noise or operate any sound amplifier on any property owned or occupied by such person, or to permit any noise to be made or any sound amplifier to be operated on property owned or occupied by such person, at a level that exceeds the sound levels set forth in Table 260-1, when measured at the property line of the receiving land.
Full Breakdown
, and commercial noise falls from 67 dBA to 62 dBA overnight. The chapter, adopted 3-7-2005 by Bill No. 2004-01 and amended 9-7-2010 by Bill No. 2010-11, defines an ENFORCEMENT OFFICER as a Health Department employee or agent designated by the Director of Environmental Health, a law enforcement officer, or a zoning enforcement designee for general noise, and the Chief of the Division of Animal Control Services for noise from animals (§ 260-2). and midnight (§ 260-4(A)(6), (7), (8), (13)). The measurement itself is taken at the property line of the receiving property, meaning the noise is judged by its effect on the neighbor, not at its source.
Violations & Fines
A first noise violation is a civil infraction carrying a fine of up to $500; a repeat violation climbs to up to $1,000, and each hour a § 260-3 violation continues counts as a separate offense under § 260-5(A)-(B). The Maryland Department of the Environment retains independent authority to enforce the chapter as well (§ 260-5(D)).
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours count as 'nighttime' under Charles County's noise law?
Who enforces Charles County's quiet hours?
Where is noise measured to check compliance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charles County
How Charles County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Charles County to another location·View the Maryland noise ordinances overview
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