Noise Waivers & Suppression Plans
Occasionally, public works construction projects are done during hours that fall outside the County-designated normal construction hours of Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. These projects are usually done in response to directives by state and local agencies to address traffic congestion and pedestrian safety issues.
Temporary Noise Waivers
The Montgomery County Noise Control Law allows for the issuance of a Temporary Noise Waiver to allow after-hours and nighttime construction projects if the benefit to the public offsets the noise the event will create in excess of the established limits.Refer to the application form and fee schedule below, and allow 30 days for the processing of your Temporary Noise Waiver application.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES HAVE CHANGED.
PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
The following fees apply for exemption applications:
| Activity |
Single Source (A)
|
Multiple Source (B) |
Hearing (C)
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential, single-family | $50 | $100 | |
| Residential, all others | $230 | $230 + ($25 per source/site) | $500 |
| Construction (all types private) | $350 | $350 + ($25 per source/site) | $500 |
| Commercial | $350 | $350 + ($25 per source/site) | $500 |
| Industrial | $350 | $350 + ($25 per source/site) | $500 |
| Transportation | $350 | $350 + ($25 per source/site) | $500 |
| Government | $350 | $350 + ($25 per source/site) | $500 |
Pending Noise Waiver Applications:
- United Crane and Rigging, Tower Crane Removal: 6706 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda (20231255)
- Application Documents
- Comments may be submitted through March 17, 2023 at depnoisewaiver@montgomerycountymd.gov
- Montgomery County Department of Transportation: Garages in Wheaton, Silver Spring, and Bethesda (20231278)
- Application Documents
- Comments may be submitted through March 30, 2023 at depnoisewaiver@montgomerycountymd.gov
Approved Noise Waivers:
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: 5601 Fishers La., Rockville (2022182)
- Purple Line Retaining Wall/Parking Lot Construction: 8600 16th St., Silver Spring (20221607)
- Purple Line, Nighttime Construction Activities: Bethesda Metro Station South Entrance, Elm St. and Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda (20222448)
- DFM Development, After-hours concrete restoration work: Metro Red Line elevated tracks from Tuckerman La. to Alta Vista Rd., Bethesda (20222196)
- Purple Line, Water Line Installation: Jones Mill Rd., Chevy Chase (20222316)
- Purple Line Utility Casing Installations: Woodside Neighborhood Area, Silver Spring (20222315)
- DFM Development, After-hours concrete restoration work: Metro Red Line elevated tracks from Tuckerman La. to Alta Vista Rd., Bethesda (20222525)
- NPL Construction Co/Washington Gas for nighttime work: Frederick Rd at College Parkway and the 30 W. Gude Drive entrance, Rockville (20222565)
- NPL Construction, Nighttime Gas Pipeline Work: Frederick Rd at Progress Way, Gaithersburg (20231135)
- Delmarva Site Development, Inc. Nighttime Utility Work: Fortune Ter from Seven Locks Rd to Park Potomac Ave, Rockville (20231151)
- Allan Myers Construction, Gude Landfill Remediation Project: 600 E. Gude Dr., Rockville (20222565)
Other Nighttime Construction Activities
(WSSC, State Highway Administration Projects and Purple Line Transit Constructors)
*NOTE-these construction activities are exempt from the County noise standards and generally not required to obtain a Temporary Noise Waiver.
- SHA Nighttime Resurfacing of MD 108 from Olney Mill Rd. to Brooke Rd.
- SHA Nighttime Resurfacing of MD 187 (Old Georgetown Rd) from Ryland Dr. to Tilden La.
Noise Suppression Plans
- A Noise Suppression Plan is a written plan to use the most effective noise-suppressing equipment, materials, and methods appropriate and reasonably available for a particular type of construction.
- Several construction activities, such as pile driving and hoe ramming, might inherently exceed 75 dBA, depending on the circumstances.
In those cases, the Montgomery County Noise Control Law allows up to 85 dBA, provided a Noise Suppression Plan, approved by DEP, is implemented. Essentially, these plans require the best reasonably available control technology or strategy. They might involve equipment selection, scheduling, and temporary noise control devices to block or absorb the sound.
Read the full text of the Montgomery County Noise Suppression Plan Guidelines ( PDF , 207KB) to learn more.
Pending Noise Suppression Plans:
- There are no pending noise suppression plans at this time.
Approved Noise Suppression Plans:
- There are no approved noise suppression plans at this time.