The Temporary Noise Exemption Application (BCHD Form 9-303) is the Baltimore City Health Department form for asking the Baltimore City Health Commissioner for a temporary exemption from noise restrictions at a special public event with entertainment. Organizations planning a fundraiser, carnival, bazaar, meeting or similar event that may disturb the community use it. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the Health Department publishes the original at the official source link.
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What is BCHD Form 9-303?
BCHD Form 9-303 is the Baltimore City Health Department application an organization uses to ask the Baltimore City Health Commissioner for a temporary exemption from noise restrictions at a public event that includes entertainment.
The form is printed as Application for Temporary Exemption from Noise Restrictions (Health Code §9-303), Entertainment at Special Public Events. It is issued by the Bureau of Environmental Health, Environmental Inspection Services, at 1001 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
The application collects the applicant's contact details, the date, start and end times and day of the event, the instruments, equipment or devices that will produce sound, the person in charge of that equipment, the exact location, the type of event, the expected attendance and the reason the exemption is needed or appropriate. It also asks whether the event takes place in a City park and whether a street must be closed.
The bottom of the form is a "For Official Use Only" block where the Baltimore City Health Commissioner marks the exemption Approved or Disapproved and dates it. The form states that the holder of an exemption must comply with the appropriate provisions of the Baltimore City Code and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.
This form is for public events. For a private event that is not open to the general public, the instructions say to use Baltimore City Health Department Form 9-209 instead.
Who needs to file BCHD Form 9-303?
The instructions address commercial, political, civic, charitable and other organizations planning a public event, such as a fundraiser, carnival, bazaar, meeting or special event, who believe the event may violate noise restrictions and disturb other members of the community. Those organizations may request a Temporary Exemption from the Baltimore City Health Commissioner with this application.
Conditions that come with the form:
- You must provide the Commissioner with information about your organization, the event and its impact on the surrounding area.
- You must obtain documents showing community support for the event.
- If the event is in a City park, you must have applied for a Special Events Permit from the Department of Recreation and Parks.
- If a street must be closed, you must have applied for a Street Event Permit from the Department of General Services.
- If you intend to serve or sell food, you also need a Baltimore City Health Department Temporary Food Service Facility License.
Do not use this form for a private event that is not open to the general public; use Form 9-209.
When to file BCHD Form 9-303
Complete the application at least 20 days before the scheduled activity. The instructions give this as the timing for applying for a Temporary Exemption, so count back 20 days from the event date on the form.
Gather the community support documents before you submit, since they go back to the Health Department together with the application. If your event is in a City park or needs a street closed, the form tells you to make sure you have already applied for the Special Events Permit or the Street Event Permit. The form prints no processing time, so contact the Health Department at (410) 396-4427 with questions about your application.
Documents you need
- Documents evidencing community support for your event, returned with the application. Letters of support from adjacent residences or from the Community Association for the area are the examples the instructions give.
- Proof that you have applied for a Special Events Permit from the Department of Recreation and Parks, only if the activity takes place in a City park.
- Proof that you have applied for a Street Event Permit from the Department of General Services, only if the activity requires a street to be closed.
- A Baltimore City Health Department Temporary Food Service Facility License application, only if you intend to serve or sell food at the event.
How to fill out BCHD Form 9-303
Enter applicant name and date
Write the Name of Applicant/Organization and the date you complete the form.
Add applicant address and contacts
Enter the Applicant Address, Telephone, Cell and E-mail.
Enter the event date and times
Fill in Date of Event, Start Time and End Time, marking am or pm for each, and mark the Day of the week: M, T, W, TH, FR, SAT or SUN.
List the sound equipment
Under Instruments, equipment, or devices that will be producing the sound, list what will be used. Enter the Name of individual in charge of this equipment and the Contact No. for that person.
Describe the event and location
Enter the Exact location of event, the Type of event and the Expected number of persons attending.
Answer the park and street questions
Mark Yes or No for whether the activity takes place in a City Park and whether it requires a street to be closed. If yes, make sure you have applied for the Special Events Permit or the Street Event Permit the form names.
State why the exemption is needed
In Reason the Exemption is Needed or Appropriate, explain why the event needs an exemption from noise restrictions.
Sign the application
Sign on the APPLICANT SIGNATURE line. Leave the "For Official Use Only" block blank for the Health Commissioner.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the date, times and location, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Attach your community support documents and send the package as described under How to submit.
How to submit BCHD Form 9-303
Return the completed application, together with your community support document(s), to the Baltimore City Health Department either at its street address or by fax.
- Address: Baltimore City Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health, 1001 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
- Fax: (410) 396-5986.
The instructions name no other channel. Send the community support documents with the application, and submit at least 20 days before the event. For questions about the application, call the Baltimore City Health Department at (410) 396-4427. Leave the "For Official Use Only" block blank: the Baltimore City Health Commissioner completes it. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the application fewer than 20 days before the scheduled activity.
- Returning the application without community support documents, such as letters from adjacent residences or the Community Association.
- Using Form 9-303 for a private event not open to the general public; the instructions direct those events to Form 9-209.
- Answering Yes to the City Park or street closure question without having applied for the Special Events Permit or the Street Event Permit.
- Leaving the City Park or street closure question as neither Yes nor No.
- Omitting the name and contact number of the individual in charge of the sound equipment.
- Submitting the form without the applicant signature.
- Filling in the "For Official Use Only" Approved or Disapproved block, which is for the Baltimore City Health Commissioner.
- Planning to serve or sell food without also applying for a Temporary Food Service Facility License.
Frequently asked questions
What is BCHD Form 9-303 used for?
It is the application for a Temporary Exemption from noise restrictions (Health Code §9-303) for entertainment at special public events. The Baltimore City Health Commissioner decides it, marking the exemption Approved or Disapproved in the official-use block.
Is Form 9-303 a Baltimore property tax form?
No. It is a Baltimore City Health Department application for a temporary noise exemption at a public event, and it has no tax lines. Questions about this form go to the Health Department at (410) 396-4427.
How far ahead do I have to apply for a noise exemption in Baltimore?
Complete the application at least 20 days before the scheduled activity. Send your community support documents with it, since the Health Commissioner reviews them together with the application.
Do I need letters of community support?
Yes. The instructions say you must obtain documents evidencing community support and return them with the application. Letters from adjacent residences or from the Community Association for the area are the examples given.
Where do I send Form 9-303?
Return it to the Baltimore City Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health, 1001 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, or fax it to (410) 396-5986. The instructions list no other channel.
Can I use Form 9-303 for a private party?
No. If your event is private and not open to the general public, the instructions say to use Baltimore City Health Department Form 9-209. Form 9-303 covers public events with entertainment.
Do I need other permits besides the noise exemption?
Possibly. The form says to apply for a Special Events Permit from Recreation and Parks if the event is in a City park, and a Street Event Permit from General Services if a street must close. Serving food requires a Temporary Food Service Facility License.
Can I fill out Form 9-303 online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the application; you submit it to the Health Department by address or fax.
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