Noise Waivers

Criteria for approval:

To receive an exemption, you must provide information concerning the event and its impact on the surrounding area and you must obtain documents evidencing community support of your event. Letters of support from adjacent residences or from the Community Association for the area are good examples of community support.

In short, you need to preemptively prove that the approval of the noise waiver would be in the best interest of the public in order for them to approve the application. This information would be the supporting documents referenced below

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Temporary exemptions can only increase the allowable sound level by a maximum of 25 dB.

 

Review times:

Public Events: ESTIMATED to be 20 business days

Private Events: ESTIMATED to be 15 business days

 

Application Steps:

For Public Events:

1. Complete the application: BCHD Form 9-303 (google it)

2. Include supporting documents (see criteria for approval section above)

3. Mail your application and supporting documents to:

Baltimore City Health Department

Bureau of Environmental Health

1001 E. Fayette Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

 

For Private Events (Commercial/Residential):

1. Complete the application: BCHD Form 9-209 (google it)

2. Include Supporting Documents (see criteria for approval section)

3. Mail your application and supporting documents to:

Baltimore City Health Department

Bureau of Environmental Health

1001 E. Fayette Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

 

Permit Expiration:

1. Temporary exemption may be granted for a maximum of 30 days

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Department Contact Information:

Baltimore City Health Department

1001 E. Fayette Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Hours: 8:30pm-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)

Phone: 410-396-4427

 

Additional Information:

Maximum Allowable Limits

(The Baltimore City Noise Ordinance has different rules for different Zones.)

 

Residential limits:

1. 55 dB at any point on the property line between two residential properties

2. 61 dB at any point on the property line that separates a residential zone and manufacturing zone

3. 58 dB at any point on the property line that separates a residential and commercial zone

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Commercial Limits:

1. 61 dB at any point on the property line between two commercial properties

2. 64 dB at any point on the property line between a commercial zone and manufacturing zone

3. 58 dB at any point on the property line between a commercial zone and residential zone

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Manufacturing limits:

1. 75 dB at any point on the property line between two manufacturing properties

2. 70 dB at any point on the property line between a manufacturing zone and commercial zone

3. 70 dB at any point on the property line between a manufacturing zone and residential zone

   1. With that being said, a property in a commercial zone would be allowed to make noise at the same property line than a residential property on the opposite side of the same line.

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Night Time Reductions: During the hours of 9pm-7am the maximum noise limits are generally reduced by 5 db

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Exceptions to Maximum Allowable Limits

(There are some exception to the maximum limits that don't require a permit)

 

Short Louder Sounds (You can be a little louder as long as its not for too long):

1. 5 dB louder than the normal maximum for 12 minutes or less

2. 10 dB louder than the normal maximum for 3 minutes or less

3. 15 dB louder than the normal maximum for 30 seconds or less

 

Home Activities

1. Noise from noncommercial vehicle repairs, home workshops, garden equipment (lawn mowers)

2. It is okay to be louder than the normal limits 7am-9pm Monday-Friday (except holidays)

3. It is okay to be louder than the normal limits 10am-10pm on weekends and legal holidays.

4. These would only apply to a residential zone

 

Home HVAC

1. Air conditioners can be up to 70 dB measured at the property line

2. Heat pumps can be up to 75 dB measured at the property line

3. With that being said, a residential property could make more noise than a commercial property along their shared property line, as long as the sound is coming from the resident's air conditioner or heat pump

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How Loud Really Is That?

Decible (dB) is a measurement of sound, the higher the decibel, the louder the sound.

 

Comparisons

10 db - Ticking Watch/Breathing

30 dB - Leaves Rustling/Whisper

30 dB - Whisper

40 dB - Home Refrigerator/Water Fountain

50 dB - Moderate Rainfall

60 dB - Inside Voice/Regular Talking

70 dB - Car Driving

75 dB - Lawnmower (from inside the house)

80 dB - Alarm Clock

85 dB - Food Blender

90 dB - Lawnmower (from outside the house

95 dB - Jack Hammer

100 dB - Helicopter

 

**Nerd Fact: if you are wondering why a helicopter seems like it would be louder than twice as loud as a lawn mower: Decibles are measured on a logarithmic scale. so…

• 10 dB is 10x louder than 0 dB,

• 20 dB is 100X louder than 0 dB

• 30 db is 1000X louder than 0 dB

• and so on…

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Penalties:

(every day is a separate offense)

 

Non Entertainment Noise:

1. Civil Damages: Up to $1000 fine per day if a person fails to comply with a notice/citation.

2. Private Actions: Any person may sue any person who is in violation of a noise control requirement.

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Entertainment Noise:

1. Entertainment Noise Civil Damages - Entertainment Noise: Up to $500 fine and imprisonment for up to 30 days for each offense

2. Entertainment Noise Civil Damages - Parent of Minors: $100 fine for each offense

3. Out Crying (noisy solicitation) - Up to $1000 fine for each offense

4. Commercial Noise - Loudspeakers - up to $1000 fine and imprisonment for up to 60 days

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City Agency: Baltimore City Health Department

Contact: 410-396-4427