Noise Enforcement Authority Has Been Transferred to Local Jurisdictions

Noise pollution continues to be an important public health concern and citizens routinely reach out to government for assistance. Some local jurisdictions already have robust noise programs, while other jurisdictions have historically relied on MDE's authority. Since MDE's noise enforcement authority has now been transferred, MDE is redirecting all local noise complaints to the contacts provided in the table below. Links to existing local noise programs and ordinances are also provided to help guide local jurisdictions without enforcement prorams.

Effective October 1, 2012, the Maryland Department of the Environment is no longer responsible for noise enforcement. During the 2012 legislative session, House Bill 190 effectively transferred noise enforcement authority to local governments. MDE will continue to be responsible for setting statewide standards and general exemptions. See related eMDE article.

To ensure consistency with the new law, MDE adopted changes to the noise regulations. This action was published in the January 25, 2013 edition of the Maryland Register with an effective date of February 8, 2013.

Contact List for Local Noise Concerns

Allegany County	Board of Commissioners County Office Complex, Suite 405 701 Kelly Road Cumberland, MD 21502-3401	301-777-2526
Anne Arundel County	(Eastern District) 3700 Mountain Rd Pasadena, MD 21122	410-222-6145
Baltimore City	City of Baltimore 100 North Holliday Street Baltimore, Maryland, 21202 mayor@baltimorecity.gov	410-396-3835
Baltimore County	Baltimore County Police	410-887-2222 Non-emergency number
Calvert County	Board of Commissioners Courthouse 175 Main Street Prince Frederick, MD 20678	410-535-1600 x2214
Caroline County	Board of Commissioners Courthouse, Room 123 109 Market Street Denton, MD 21629	410-479-0660
Carroll County	Board of Commissioners County Office Building 225 North Center Street Westminster, MD 21157	410-386-2044
Cecil County	Board of Commissioners County Administrative Building, Suite 2100 200 Chesapeake Blvd. Elkton, MD 21921	410-996-5201
Charles County	Board of Commissioners County Government Building 200 Baltimore Street LaPlata, MD 20646-2150	301-645-0550
Dorchester County	County Council County Office Building 501 Court Lane Cambridge, MD 21613-0026	410-397-2134
Frederick County	Sheriff's Office 110 Airport Drive East Frederick, MD 21701	301-600-1046
Garrett County	Board of Commissioners Courthouse, Room 207 203 South Fourth Street Oakland, MD 21550	301-334-8970
Harford County	Sherriff (Watch Commander)	410-692-7880
Howard County	Health Department 8930 Stanford Blvd Columbia, MD 21045	(410) 313-1773
Kent County	Board of Commissioners County Government Center 400 High Street Chestertown, MD 21620 sblackiston@kentgov.org	410-778-7435
Montgomery County	County Executive Executive Office Building, 2^nd Floor 101 Monroe Street Rockville, MD 20850	240-777-2500
Prince George’s County	County Executive County Administration Building, Suite 5032 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3070	301-952-4131
Queen Anne’s County	Board of Commissioners Liberty Building 107 North Liberty Street Centreville, MD 21617	410-643-4537
St. Mary’s County	Board of Commissioners Chesapeake Building 41770 Baldridge Street Leonardtown, MD 20650-0653	301-475-4200 x1300
Somerset County	Board of Commissioners County Office Complex 11916 Somerset Avenue Princess Anne, MD 21853-0037	410-651-0320
Talbot County	Board of Commissioners Courthouse 11 North Washington Street Easton, MD 21601	410-770-8001
Washington County	Sara L. Trescott Director Environmental Health Washington County Health Department 13332 Pennsylvania Avenue Hagerstown, MD 21742	240-313-3400
Washington County	Board of Commissioners County Administration Bldg, Room 226 100 West Washington Street Hagerstown, MD 21740	410-313-2200
Wicomico County	Sheriff’s Office	410-548-4891
Worcester County	Board of Commissioners County Government Center, Room 1103 One West Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1195	410-632-1194
Ocean City, MD	Ocean City Police Department	410-723-6610

Links to Local Noise Programs

Links to Local Ordinances

Links to Other Noise Programs and Ordinances

MDE information

410-537-3899 or 1-800-633-6101, x3899.