Anne Arundel County has become the first local government to be able to enforce the state noise law.
Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Shari Wilson today officially granted County Executive John R. Leopold power to send police officers with noise meters to respond to complaints.
MDE had no money or staffers to enforce the state law, but can delegate authority to local jurisdictions.
Leopold said he sought the power to improve the quality of life in the county. The county?s law mandates that a noise must not be heard 50 feet from its source in a residential neighborhood.
If residents violate the state ordinance ? which is 55 decibels during the evening hours ? they could receive a fine up to $10,000. There are six county police officers trained to use noise meters.
