Baltimore short-term rental hosts must comply with the City Health Code Title 9 noise limits: 55 dB(A) at residential property lines, reduced 5 dB(A) between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. (Sec. 9-207). Article 15 Subtitle 48-15 requires hosts to ensure their dwellings comply with the Health Article.
Article 15 Subtitle 48 (Short-Term Residential Rentals), enacted by Baltimore City Council Ordinance 19-217 effective December 31, 2019, governs STR licensing and operations. Section 48-15 requires hosts to ensure their dwellings comply with the City Building, Fire, and Related Codes Article, the City Health Article, and the Zoning Code, which means STR operations must meet the Baltimore City Health Code Title 9 (Noise Regulation) limits. Section 9-206 establishes maximum permissible sound at the property line: 55 dB(A) in residential zones, 61 dB(A) in commercial zones, and 75 dB(A) in manufacturing zones, with specific values for zone boundaries (58 dB(A) at residential-commercial boundaries). Section 9-207 reduces these maximums by an additional 5 dB(A) between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. for any use that borders or is located in a residential zone. Section 48-15 also requires the host to designate a representative living within 15 miles of the rental who is available throughout each rental period and whose contact information is prominently displayed for guests and accessible to neighbors, providing a direct channel for noise complaints.
Repeated noise violations and failure to maintain operations within Health Code Title 9 limits can trigger administrative sanctions under Article 15 Subtitle 48 Part 4 (Sec. 48-21 through 48-23), including license suspension or revocation. Health Department citations under Title 9 can be issued separately. Excessive nighttime noise audible at neighboring properties may also be reported to Baltimore Police as a nuisance.
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Health Code Title 9 sets a 55 dB(A) residential property-line limit, reduced 10 dB at night (10 p.m.-7 a.m. weekdays; midnight-7 a.m. weekends), wi...
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Property maintenance under Article 13 requires yard upkeep but does not a...
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, lighting, and blower noise are governed by condo/HOA covenants. Hea...
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA/condo covenants and...
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs. Trade permits filed through DHCD e...
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore has no specific smoker ordinance, but the Health Code Title 9 noise limits and air quality standards may apply. Maryland Department of the Environm...
See how Baltimore's noise rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.