Part I – Definitions; General Provisions
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code § 9-201 (2026)
§ 9-201 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b)Decibel or dB.
(1)
“Decibel” or “dB” means the unit of measurement of relative sound intensity equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the effective sound pressure to a reference pressure of 20 micronewtons per square meter.
(2)
In formula,
dB = 20 Log<sub>10</sub> P/P<sub>0</sub>
where P is the average pressure of the measured sound, and P<sub>0</sub> indicates the reference pressure considered to be the weakest audible pressure a young ear can detect under ideal listening conditions.
(c)Person.
(1)In general.
“Person” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(a)">§ 1-107(a) {“Person: In general”}</cite> of the City Code’s <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>.
(2)Qualified inclusion of governmental entities.
Notwithstanding <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(b)">§ 1-107(b) {“Person: Exclusion”}</cite> of the <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>, in this subtitle “person” also includes, except as used in <cite data-path="|health|§9-218">§ 9-218 {“Penalties”} of this subtitle</cite>, a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.
(d)Sound Level A or db(A).
“Sound level A” or “dB(A)” is the sound level in decibels, measured with a sound level meter that uses the A-weighting network or scale, as specified in ANSI S1.4 (“Specification for Sound Level Meters”), as amended from time to time.
(e)Use.
“Use” means any activity, occupation, business, or operation that is conducted on land or in or on a street, building, pier, wharf, or other structure.
(f)Zone, commercial.
“Zone, commercial” means any of the following zoning districts established under the Baltimore City Zoning Code:
(1)
all Commercial Zoning Districts;
(2)
all OIC Office-Industrial Campus Zoning Districts;
(3)
all BSC Bio-Science Campus Zoning Districts;
(4)
all IMU-1 and IMU-2 Industrial Mixed-Use Zoning Districts; and
(5)
all TOD Transit-Oriented Development Zoning Districts.
(g)Zone, manufacturing.
“Zone, manufacturing” means any of the following zoning districts established under the Baltimore City Zoning Code:
(1)
all I-1 Light Industrial Zoning Districts;
(2)
all I-2 General Industrial Zoning Districts; and
(3)
all MI Maritime Industrial Zoning Districts.
(h)Zone, residential.
“Zone, residential” means any of the following zoning districts established under the Baltimore City Zoning Code:
(1)
all Residential Zoning Districts; and
(2)
all Office-Residential Zoning Districts.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 19-244
History: Ord. 22-125
Balt., Md., Code § 9-202 (2026)
§ 9-202 Declaration of findings and policy.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Findings.
The Mayor and City Council finds that excessive or unnecessary noise in the City is a menace to the welfare and prosperity of the people of the City.
(b)Policy.
It is the public policy of the City that:
(1)
everyone is entitled to an ambient noise level that is not detrimental to life, health, or enjoyment of property;
(2)
the ambient noise level in the City should be controlled and reduced:
(i)
to promote the public health, safety, and welfare and the peace and quiet of the City’s inhabitants; and
(ii)
to facilitate the enjoyment of the City’s natural attractions; and
(3)
to those ends, standards for noise must be set and enforced, as provided in this subtitle.
History: Ord. 99-548
Balt., Md., Code § 9-203 to 9-204 (2026)
§§ 9-203 to 9-204LinkCopy Citation
Reserved