# Sec. 19-122. Prohibition

Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.

## Sec. 19-122. Prohibition

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 19-122 (2026)

(a) Maximum allowable noise levels.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 19-122.01, a person must not cause or permit noise levels that exceed the following levels:

    | Maximum Allowable Noise Levels (dBA) for Receiving Land Use Categories |
    | --- |
    | Day/Night | Industrial | Commercial | Residential |
    | Day | 75 | 67 | 65 |
    | Night | 75 | 62 | 55 |

  (2) A person must not cause or permit the emission of a prominent discrete tone or impulsive noise that exceeds a level, at the location on a receiving property where noise from the source is greatest, that is 5 dBA lower than the level set in paragraph (1) for the applicable noise area and time. Impulsive noise may include, for example, noise from weapons fire, pile drivers, or punch presses.

  (3) A person may not cause or permit, beyond the property line of a source, vibration of sufficient intensity to cause another person to be aware of the vibration by such direct means as sensation of touch or visual observation of moving objects. The observer shall be located at or within the property line of the receiving property when vibration determinations are made.

  (4) A person may not operate or permit to be operated an off-road internal combustion engine powered recreational vehicle, including, but not limited to, a dirt bike, an all-terrain vehicle, a go cart, a snowmobile, or a similar vehicle, on private property closer than 300 feet to a neighboring residence or the associated curtilage, without the written permission of the affected resident, unless it can be demonstrated to the Department that the vehicle can be operated within the noise limits specified in paragraph (1) above.

  (5) Sound that crosses between residential and non-residential areas must not exceed the level set in paragraph (1) for residential noise areas.

  (6) For an alleged noise disturbance which results in part from low frequency sound (20 — 200 Hz), the maximum allowable noise levels may be measured dBC.

(b) Noise disturbance. A person must not cause or permit noise that creates a noise disturbance.

(c) Examples. The following examples illustrate common noise-producing acts that violate this section if they exceed the noise level standards set in subsection (a) or create a noise disturbance. The examples are illustrative only and do not limit or expand the noise level or noise disturbance standards of this section:

  (1) Sounding a horn or other signaling device on any motor vehicle on private property except:

    (A) in an emergency; or

    (B) as a danger warning signal during daytime hours if the device complies with noise level limits.

  (2) Operating a sound-producing device on public streets for commercial advertising or to attract public attention.

  (3) Selling anything by outcry.

  (4) Loading, unloading, opening, closing or otherwise handling containers, building materials, construction equipment, or similar objects.

  (5) Operating a device that produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound.

  (6) Allowing an animal to create a noise disturbance.