New 'noise cameras,' fines could be coming to Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County Council Vice President Kate Stewart and Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez are proposing the Vehicular Noise Reduction Bill. It's a pilot program that will enforce existing state noise laws, using three "noise cameras."

Noise cameras will capture both audio and video of any noise louder than 80 decibels, which is the limit that the state of Maryland has established. According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, sounds below 80 decibels are considered safe, while frequent exposure to 85 decibels or louder creates a high risk. 

The noise cameras will be installed in various locations around Montgomery County and can be moved, according to Stewart. 

The penalty for violating the decibel level is a civil one. The first offense will be a warning, and the second one will be a fine not more than $75. 

Stewart says all of this is because of several complaints the county has gotten from residents, which was discussed at a hearing on Monday. 

"You'll be laying in bed, it'll be two ─ three o'clock in the morning. You'll hear this noise. It'll wake you up, it'll wake the baby up, the dog will start barking and there will be chaos in your house," she explained, "then it's gone and it's hard for the police department to be able to enforce that."

New York City and Knoxville, Tennessee both implemented noise cameras recently. In New York City, officials gave out more than 200 violations for modified exhaust and more than 140 for excessive honking. In Knoxville, 1300 cars set off the noise cameras in a span of five months. 

If the proposal is accepted, the pilot program will go into effect until June 30, 2026. 

Montgomery County residents have the chance to voice their opinions on the proposal on Tuesday, September 17th at 1:30pm.