(a) Definition. In this section, “residential district” means those districts identified as residential in § 18-2-105 of this Code.
(b) Scope. This section does not apply to the use or operation of a device:
(1) in the performance of a governmental function by an agency or instrumentality of federal, State, County, or municipal government;
(2) in the performance of a public service function by a public service company as defined in § 1-101 of the Public Utilities Article of the State Code;
(3) under a valid federal, State, County, or municipal license or permit;
(4) in the activities of an educational institution or a bona fide nonprofit charitable or philanthropic organization or civic association; or
(5) in farming activities.
(c) Prohibitions. A person may not:
(1) at any time use, operate, or permit the use or operation of a radio or other music producing device, a television, an amplified musical instrument, or any other audio producing device at an unreasonably loud volume that can be heard in a residential district; or
(2) between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., use, operate, or permit the use or operation of a musical instrument or a machine, tool, or similar device at an unreasonably loud volume that can be heard in a residential district.
(d) Rebuttable presumption. There is a rebuttable presumption that sound generated by a device listed in subsection (c) that can be heard at a distance of 50 feet from the device constitutes a violation under this section.
(e) Sanctions for violation. A person who violates subsection (c) is subject to a civil fine for a Class E civil offense as provided in § 9-2-101, and a police officer may issue a citation, as provided in § 9-2-101, for a violation of subsection (c). A police officer is not required to issue a warning before charging a violation of subsection (c). Any person who has been ordered by a police officer to cease using, operating, or permitting the use or operation of a device in violation of subsection (c) and refuses or fails to comply with the order is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or both, and a violation may be tried on a citation prepared in accordance with the rules of the District Court of Maryland.
(1985 Code, Art. 11, § 5-105) (Bill No. 87-93; Bill No. 60-97; Bill No. 23-04; Bill No. 4-05; Bill No. 19-21; Bill No. 26-21)