‘Unworkable’ noise ordinance in Carroll County revised and headed to public hearing

Carroll County government staff and the sheriff’s office have formulated a countywide noise ordinance to update language in a 2005 law that largely addresses only noise from all-terrain vehicles. The next step is a public hearing to allow residents to comment and make suggestions. In 2005, the Maryland Department of the Environment’s noise control program was defunded by action of the state legislature. As a result, noise complaints started to be referred to local governments. Carroll County officials formed a committee to formulate a noise control document, and, at the time, the noisiest offenders in Carroll County were all-terrain vehicles in residential areas.