The Montgomery County Council is considering a proposed bill that aims to reduce vehicular noise emissions by installing “noise camera” devices throughout the county.
The bill is based on enabling state legislation passed earlier this year by the Maryland General Assembly session that was sponsored by Del. Julie Palakovich Carr (D-Dist. 17), who represents Rockville and Gaithersburg and chairs the Montgomery County House delegation. The new state law gives local jurisdictions the authority to establish pilot programs to reduce excessive vehicular noise by implementing a noise abatement monitoring system, also known as noise cameras.
“These noise cameras will help to mitigate negative health and quality of life impacts experienced by residents from excessive noise from modified exhaust,” said council Vice President Kate Stewart (D-Dist. 4), who is sponsoring the county bill alongside councilmember Natali Fani-González (D-Dist. 6), when introducing the bill Tuesday. “I think it’s important to note that modifying exhaust particularly to make louder noises is already unlawful. And it’s just been difficult for us to enforce that law.”
Under Maryland law, no motor vehicles can have a modified muffler. Vehicles with modified mufflers are required to be rejected during Maryland Vehicle Administration emissions inspections.
Stewart said the noise cameras will make it easier to enforce that law. The cameras are equipped with microphones to detect and measure degrees of noise. If volume is detected at least five decibels above the standard set by the state, the camera would capture a video of the vehicle causing the noise.
An offense would be considered a civil violation and not a criminal charge. A first offense would result in a warning notice to the vehicle owner, according to the proposed legislation, and second and subsequent offenses each would carry a fine of no more than $75. Collected fines can only be used to pay for the pilot program or for public safety purposes including pedestrian safety programs, according to the state law.
According to documents prepared by Stewart’s office, research has found that noise from defective or altered mufflers and exhaust systems can interrupt sleep and create noise levels that prevent communication. It can also create continuous, high levels of noise, commonly referred to as “noise pollution,” that can lead to health issues including depression, heart disease, cognitive impairments and strokes.
“The main impetus for our office doing this is all of the concerns that we’ve heard from residents about the excessive noise. These modified mufflers interrupt sleep, they create noise levels that prohibit just simple conversations if people are out enjoying themselves in social settings,” Stewart said.
If passed, the bill would establish a pilot program deploying three noise cameras. The location of those cameras would be determined by the Montgomery County police department, which would be required to notify the public about their presence and display appropriate signage. The pilot program would expire June 30, 2026, unless the General Assembly extends that deadline. The cameras could not be used by police for anything but their intended purpose, in accordance with state law.
“At the end of the day, this is about creating safe communities for people,” Fani-González said.
A public hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 17.