Prince George’s County council considers noise ordinance bill

LARGO, Md. ( DC News Now ) — The noise is getting out of control for some residents in Prince George’s County. It’s so bad for some that there is an effort to make harsher penalties against people pumping up the volume.

The Council voted in favor of pushing the bill forward in committee Thursday morning but it will have to be voted again.

Councilmember Jolene Ivey said something has to be done to make sure her community has some peace and quiet.

“Most people just want to live in peace and harmony and for the ones who don’t, we need a way to go after them,” Ivey said.

The bill essentially amends current county noise ordinances to increase penalties for violations from $500 to $1,000 for first-time violations, and from $1,000 to $1,500 for subsequent violations.

Cheverly resident Frank Plew agrees with the proposed bill and hopes it will keep his neighborhood quiet.

“For us, one of the reasons we moved into this neighborhood is because it’s quiet and we don’t have a huge problem with that in Cheverly but when it is a problem it is very noticeable,” Plew said.

The bill prohibits the use of ATVs, dirt bikes and snowmobiles within 300 feet of a property line unless the noise they are creating is within the allowable range. The bill also prohibits any noise from creating vibrations that extend beyond your property line. It adds a long list of types of noise that are exempt: such as construction work and lawn services.

Ivey said anyone who doesn’t comply will face harsh penalties.

“People are tired of having their peace disturbed, and this bill will give us another tool to make sure that people who don’t want to be respectful of other people will have more consequences,” she said.

The county council will vote again on the issue in two weeks.

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