Prince George's County, MD Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Prince George's 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 window
- 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nighttime window
- 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Residential night limit
- 55 dBA (65 dBA daytime)
- First offense penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 30 days
- Repeat offense fine
- Up to $1,500
- Enforcer
- Dept. of Permitting, Inspections & Enforcement
- Appeal body
- County Administrative Court
Summary
Prince George's County splits noise enforcement into two clocks, daytime from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and nighttime from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and drops the residential noise ceiling from 65 dBA to 55 dBA once nighttime begins, under County Code § 19-121 and § 19-122, enforced by the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement and County police.
(3)Daytime means the hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m....(9)Nighttime means the hours from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m....(11)Noise disturbance means any noise that is:(A)unpleasant, annoying, offensive, loud, or obnoxious;(B)unusual for the time of day or location where it is produced or heard;(C)detrimental to the health, comfort, quality of life, or safety of any individual or to the reasonable enjoyment of property or the lawful conduct of business because of the loudness, duration, or character of the noise or;(D)exceeds the objective standards of this Division.
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
(§ 19-121(3), (9)), and those two windows drive every time-based limit in the Noise Control Division. 01 is in effect. loses its exemption and must meet the 55 dBA residential nighttime ceiling. (§ 19-123(b)(9)). A 'noise disturbance,' defined at § 19-121(11), is separately prohibited around the clock regardless of decibel readings whenever it is unusual for the time of day or location where it is heard, which the Division treats as an especially nighttime-sensitive standard. Enforcement runs through the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement, the Animal Control Division for animal noise, and County police officers.
Violations & Fines
A first curfew violation, after a warning to stop, is a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine or 30 days in jail, or both, rising to $1,500 for a subsequent offense, with each day treated as a separate offense (§ 19-124(a)). Officers can instead issue a civil citation up to the same dollar amounts (§ 19-124(b)), and if more than two citations hit one address within a year, the Director can cite the landlord directly after certified-mail notice (§ 19-125). Citations go to the County's Administrative Court on appeal (§ 19-124(c)).
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours count as 'nighttime' under PG County's noise law?
How much quieter must I be after 9 p.m.?
Can I mow my lawn at night in Prince George's County?
What happens if my neighbor keeps violating quiet hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
How Prince George's County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.