Baltimore noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

When are quiet hours in Baltimore?

Quiet hours: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., when residential decibel limits drop by 5 dB(A). Power tools and home vehicle repair: weekdays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekends and holidays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Right now: Checking the clock for Baltimore.
Who to call: Call 311 or use the city's online service request system for amplified noise. Non-amplified noise such as yelling: Baltimore Police. Emergencies: 911.
The law: Baltimore City Health Code Title 9. Read the code

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We checked this against the city's code and website on October 17, 2026.

Baltimore's noise rules are in Title 9 of the Baltimore City Health Code, "Noise Regulation." Subtitle 2 sets decibel limits at the property line. Subtitle 3 covers "entertainment noise," such as music from a house, car or party, and uses a distance test instead of a meter.

Decibel limits

Under § 9-206(d), sound from a use in a residential zone can't exceed:

55 dB(A) at any point on the property line of the use
58 dB(A) at a boundary between a residential and a commercial zone
61 dB(A) at a boundary between a residential and a manufacturing zone

From 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., these limits drop by 5 dB(A) in or next to a residential zone (§ 9-207). So the limit at a home's property line becomes 50 dB(A).

Short bursts above the limit are allowed (§ 9-208(a)). Noise can go 5 dB(A) over for a total of 12 minutes in an hour. It can go 10 dB(A) over for 3 minutes, or 15 dB(A) over for 30 seconds.

Home equipment

Section 9-208 sets allowances for some household sources:

Home car repairs, home workshops, power tools and power garden tools: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. On weekends and legal holidays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (§ 9-208(b))
Air conditioners: up to 70 dB(A) at the property line of any other residential property, and heat pumps up to 75 dB(A) (§ 9-208(c))

Construction is not covered by the Title 9 decibel table except where rules adopted by the Health Commissioner set standards (§ 9-103(b)). We have not reviewed those rules.

The 50-foot music rule

Section 9-306 bans playing a radio, instrument or other sound device for entertainment if:

It is in a building, other structure or vehicle and can be heard more than 50 feet away. The 50 feet is counted from the property line if that is farther.
It is outdoors, in a public area or on private property, and can be heard more than 50 feet from the source
It is played in a public street between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., with exceptions for school bands, licensed parades and similar

This rule has no hours for homes and cars. If the device is indoors or in a vehicle, the owner, occupant or person in charge who is present is presumed responsible (§ 9-308). A parent or guardian may not knowingly let a minor break this rule (§ 9-307).

How to complain

The Baltimore City Health Department's environmental health page lists the noise it looks into. That includes HVAC systems and heat pumps, early-morning dumpster pickup, and amplifying devices such as microphones and speakers. You report those by calling 311 or through the city's online service request system. The same page says non-amplified noise, such as people yelling or idling cars, goes to the Baltimore City Police Department. For emergencies, call 911.

Penalties

Music violations under § 9-306 by an adult: a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both, for each offense (§ 9-317(b))
A parent or guardian who violates § 9-307 within 12 months after written notice: up to $100 per offense (§ 9-317(c))
Ignoring a Health Commissioner's notice that you broke the decibel limits: a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000 per offense. Each day is a separate offense (§ 9-218)

Both subtitles can also be enforced with environmental or civil citations (§§ 9-217 and 9-316). Under § 9-214, a person can sue someone violating the decibel rules, but only 60 days after giving notice to the Commissioner and the violator.

Maryland law

Maryland limits noise at a residence to 65 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 55 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (COMAR 26.02.03.02). The Maryland noise rules page links the regulation.

Keeping a record

If you think a sound breaks the decibel limits, note what is making it and when. The Health Commissioner's notice has to list the readings and the time and place they were taken (§ 9-212). The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app logs each incident with the time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports a PDF report. Phone readings are estimates, not official measurements.

Baltimore noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in Baltimore?

9 p.m. to 7 a.m., when residential decibel limits drop by 5 dB(A). Power tools and home vehicle repair: weekdays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekends and holidays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in Baltimore?

Call 311 or use the city's online service request system for amplified noise. Non-amplified noise such as yelling: Baltimore Police. Emergencies: 911.

Where are Baltimore's noise rules?

Baltimore City Health Code Title 9. There is a link to the official code at the top and bottom of this page.

What is the fine for a noise violation in Baltimore?

Playing music that breaks the 50-foot rule can bring a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both. Ignoring a notice about the decibel limits can bring up to $1,000 a day.

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.