Noise Control Through Planning and Design [pdf]
Noise, or unwanted sound, can be an unwelcome by-product of our built environment, seriously degrading the "quality of life" in our residential, business, and mixed-use communities.  Obviously, the most effective method of controlling unwanted sound is to prevent it in the first place.  Noise can be prevented or controlled to reasonable levels by various design, location, and engineering measures, or a combination thereof.  In this context, the design engineer, architect, developer, or contractor are essential in our abiding effort to ensure quiet communities.   Likewise, the individual homeowner or businessperson should be aware of noise considerations when planning renovations or replacement of equipment. 

File a Citizen's Two-Party Noise Complaints
The information provided on this on-line form will be used to satisfy various legal requirements. It is therefore necessary that the information be accurate and complete. Only the facts concerning one event of an alleged violation of the Montgomery County Noise Ordinance are to be provided on a single form. If you wish to report on more than one event, you must describe each of the other events on a separate form.

Construction Noise Control [pdf]
Noise from construction activities, including site preparation, repairs and demolition, is difficult, if not impossible, to control to the receiving property line limits... Fortunately, reasonable and practical controls can be placed upon construction activities to minimize the temporary increase in noise levels and attempt to balance the interests of all concerned.

Leaf Blower Noise Law
A person must not sell, buy offer for sale, or use a leaf blower at any time that has an average sound level exceeding 70 dBA (A-weighted decibels) at a distance of 50 feet. This requirement is in addition to any other noise level or noise disturbance standard that applies under the Ordinance. The Department of Environmental Protection must apply the standard in accordance with the most current leaf blower testing standard of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Montgomery County Noise Ordinance
The County Council finds that excessive noise harms public health and welfare and impairs enjoyment of property. The intent of this Chapter is to control noise sources to protect public health and welfare and to allow the peaceful enjoyment of property. This Chapter must be liberally construed to carry out this intent.

Noise Control: A Sound Solution
When sound becomes noise, an unwanted din at high continuous levels, problems arise. Noise interferes with our normal residential and business activities, and persistent exposure can result in psychological stress. Noise at high enough levels can damage our hearing.

Noise Ordinance Compliance [pdf]
Just as litter degrades the landscape of the community, noise degrades its soundscape. The United States Census Bureau’s “Surveys of Neighborhood Problems,” conducted over the past three decades, identified noise as consistently among the top four issues of concern. Fortunately, Montgomery County has had an effective Noise Control Ordinance since 1975 (Chapter 31B, Montgomery County Code). In 1996, the ordinance was comprehensively revised to make it more pro-active, user-friendly, and better structured to deal with current and future realities. The goal of the ordinance is to reduce overall noise levels in the County; therefore, there must be universal and consistent compliance with its provisions.

Noise Pollution: An Overview
The world around us is filled with sound. Every minute of every day we encounter an infinite variety of sounds, many of them rich with pleasant associations: the familiar chirping of crickets, the song of a bird, a child's laughter, the soothing patter of summer rain, or the rustle of leaves in a breeze.

Notice to Contractors
The Montgomery County Council enacted a comprehensive revision to the County Noise Control Ordinance (Chapter 31B, Montgomery County Code), including changes to the provisions concerning noise from construction activities.