(a) 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.
(b) The Department of Environmental Protection administers this Chapter.
(1) The Department must coordinate noise abatement programs of all County agencies, municipalities, and regional agencies.
(2) A County agency, municipality in which this Chapter applies, or regional authority subject to County law must not adopt a standard or regulation that is less stringent than this Chapter or any regulation adopted under this Chapter.
(3) The Director may form an Interagency Coordinating Committee to assist the Director in coordinating noise control policy. If the Director forms the Committee, the Director must designate an individual to chair the Committee. The members of the Committee should be designated by County, local, and regional agencies that the Director invites to participate.
(4) The Department must establish procedures to identify and reduce noise sources when the County plans and issues permits, variances, exemptions, or approvals.
(5) The Department should make recommendations to the County Executive, County Council, and Planning Board regarding noise control policy, regulations, enforcement, and noise sensitive areas. (1996 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.)
Editor’s note—See County Attorney Opinion dated explaining that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (esp. Metrorail) is subject to the County’s noise control law, although an exemption may be obtained if it is in the public interest.
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