Noise from Specific Sources in Maryland (2026)
25 rules on the books across Maryland, 9 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Noise limits for air conditioners, heat pumps, pool equipment, and other mechanical systems, including decibel thresholds measured at the property line.
Annapolis
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis can order sound testing of installed exterior mechanical equipment, done by a certified sound testing…
Read full rule →Bowie
Some RestrictionsRunning a noise-creating blower, power fan or small internal combustion engine, the kind used in HVAC and similar…
Read full rule →Howard County
Some RestrictionsHoward County caps residential air-conditioning noise at 70 dBA and heat-pump noise at 75 dBA as measured at a…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsOutdoor heat pumps and A/C units on small residential lots in Montgomery County must meet a strict 60 dBA property-line…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County gives residential air conditioning and heat pump equipment its own, more lenient noise ceiling…
Read full rule →Bar & Nightclub Noise
Noise regulations specific to bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues, including bass frequency limits, soundproofing requirements, and complaint procedures.
Annapolis
Significant RestrictionsAnnapolis alcoholic beverage licensees must cut all music inside a bar or nightclub within 15 minutes of closing and…
Read full rule →Bowie
Significant RestrictionsA bar, restaurant or nightclub in the City of Bowie may not let unreasonably loud noise, including from a patio or…
Read full rule →Worcester County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, a licensed dry nightclub must be completely enclosed and sound-proofed so…
Read full rule →Anne Arundel County
Some RestrictionsAnne Arundel County bans running a radio, TV, or amplified music at an unreasonably loud volume audible in a…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsA bar or nightclub emitting noise above 65 dBA daytime / 55 dBA nighttime into a residential area, or 67/62 dBA into a…
Read full rule →Car Alarm Limits
Maximum duration for car alarms before they must auto-silence, penalties for repeated false alarms, and vehicle towing authority for chronic alarm violations.
Annapolis
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis bars any audible security alarm from sounding more than fifteen minutes. An unattended car alarm becomes a…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsSounding a car alarm, horn, or other vehicle signaling device on private property is banned except for emergencies or…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County treats a car alarm or horn sounded on private property as an illustrative violation of its noise…
Read full rule →Generator Noise
Rules for portable and standby generators, including permitted operating hours, decibel limits, and restrictions during non-emergency use.
Calvert County
Significant RestrictionsCalvert County bars anyone from running a generator on county park property unless a Department of Parks and Recreation…
Read full rule →Annapolis
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis has no generator-specific rule: a running generator is judged under the citywide noise ordinance's decibel…
Read full rule →Anne Arundel County
Some RestrictionsAnne Arundel County bans running a generator or other machine at an unreasonably loud volume between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m…
Read full rule →Bowie
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bowie, household generators are exempt from Chapter 13's noise limits only during an emergency or for…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsGenerators and motor-vehicle-powered devices must stay under the county's dBA noise limits or avoid creating a noise…
Read full rule →Washington County
Light RestrictionsEmergency generators are exempt from Washington County's industrial noise ceiling while running for a facility's…
Read full rule →Delivery Truck Noise
Time-of-day restrictions on commercial delivery trucks operating in residential zones, including back-up beepers, refrigeration units, and engine idling.
Bowie
Some RestrictionsLoud loading, unloading or box-breaking noise from delivery trucks and dumpsters at night is banned in the City of…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsDelivery-truck loading and unloading counts as noise under County law: it can't push sound past 55 dBA at night or 65…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County's noise ordinance names loading and unloading trucks as an example of a noise-producing act that…
Read full rule →Low-Frequency Bass Limits
Special bass-frequency (≤125 Hz) sound limits for venues, including dB(C) measurement standards and how cities differentiate bass noise from baseline ambient.
Bowie
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bowie, thumping bass from car stereos, home speakers or parties counts as unlawful noise even if lyrics…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County sets a stricter decibel threshold for prominent discrete tones below 125 Hz, bass hums and whines…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Some RestrictionsWhen a noise complaint centers on bass or other low-frequency sound between 20 and 200 Hz, Prince George's County lets…
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