BCHD Form 9-303 is the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) application for a temporary exemption from the noise restrictions of Health Code §9-303 at special public events. Organizations planning a public event that may disturb the community use it to ask the Baltimore City Health Commissioner for the exemption. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and its instructions are published by the Baltimore City Health Department, which receives the application.
Last updated
What is BCHD Form 9-303?
BCHD Form 9-303, the Application for Temporary Exemption from Noise Restrictions (Health Code §9-303), Entertainment at Special Public Events, is the form an organization submits to the Baltimore City Health Commissioner to request a temporary exemption from noise restrictions for a public event.
The Baltimore City Health Department's Bureau of Environmental Health, Environmental Inspection Services, issues the form. The application asks for information about the applicant, the event and its effect on the surrounding area: date, start and end times, 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.
The form also asks whether the activity takes place in a City park and whether it requires a street to be closed. Each "yes" points to a separate permit: a Special Events Permit from the Department of Recreation and Parks, or a Street Event Permit from the Department of General Services.
The bottom of the form is reserved for the Health Commissioner, who marks the exemption Approved or Disapproved. 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 covers public events only. For a private event, not open to the general public, the instructions send you to Baltimore City Health Department Form 9-209. It does not replace the Temporary Food Service Facility License needed to serve or sell food.
Who needs to file BCHD Form 9-303?
Commercial, political, civic, charitable and other organizations planning a public event, such as a fundraiser, carnival, bazaar, meeting or special event, use this form when they believe the event may violate noise restrictions and disturb other members of the community. The instructions describe the request as something you "may wish" to make, so it is for events where noise is a real risk.
Block party organizers are pointed to the same application. The City's block party page says a block party that will use amplified sound or play music that will disturb other members of the community must request a Temporary Noise Exemption from the Baltimore City Health Commissioner.
Do not use this form for a private event that is not open to the general public; use Baltimore City Health Department Form 9-209 instead.
The form has a single applicant signature line, labeled Applicant Signature, and names an applicant or organization. It does not describe who may sign for someone else.
When to file BCHD Form 9-303
Complete the application at least 20 days before the scheduled activity. The instructions set this as the timing for the request, and the form asks for the event date, so count the days from that date.
Gather the community support documents before you submit, because they travel 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 applied for the Special Events Permit or the Street Event Permit as well. If you will serve or sell food, a separate Temporary Food Service Facility License application is also needed. The form sets no processing time.
Documents you need
- Documents evidencing community support of your event: the instructions require them with the application. Letters of support from adjacent residences or from the Community Association for the area are the examples given.
How to fill out BCHD Form 9-303
Enter applicant name and date
Write the name of the applicant or organization in Name of Applicant/Organization and the date you complete the form in Date.
Add address and contact details
Enter the Applicant Address, then your Telephone, Cell and E-mail.
Enter the event date and times
Fill in Date of Event, the Start Time and End Time with the am or pm option, and mark the Day of the week (M, T, W, TH, FR, SAT or SUN).
Describe the sound equipment
List the instruments, equipment or devices that will produce the sound. Add the name of the individual in charge of this equipment and a contact number for that person.
Give the location and event type
Enter the exact location of the 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 will take place in a City Park and whether it requires a street to be closed. If either is Yes, make sure you have applied for the permit the form names.
State why the exemption is needed
In Reason the Exemption is Needed or Appropriate, explain why the event requires an exemption from the noise restrictions.
Sign the application
Sign on the Applicant Signature line. Leave the For Official Use Only block empty: the Baltimore City Health Commissioner completes it.
Review, download and assemble
Check the date, times and location, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Add your community support document(s) and send the package as described under How to submit.
How to submit BCHD Form 9-303
You can return the completed application by mail or by fax to the Baltimore City Health Department.
- Mail or delivery: Baltimore City Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health, 1001 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
- Fax: (410) 396-5986.
Send the community support document(s) with the application, such as letters of support from adjacent residences or from the Community Association for the area. For questions, call the Baltimore City Health Department at (410) 396-4427. The instructions name no online submission channel and no fee. 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.
- Sending the application without documents evidencing community support, such as letters from adjacent residences or the Community Association.
- Using Form 9-303 for a private event not open to the general public, which belongs on Baltimore City Health Department Form 9-209.
- Answering Yes to the City park question without having applied for a Special Events Permit from the Department of Recreation and Parks.
- Answering Yes to the street closure question without having applied for a Street Event Permit from the Department of General Services.
- Assuming the exemption also covers food service; serving or selling food needs a Baltimore City Health Department Temporary Food Service Facility License.
- Leaving the Applicant Signature line blank, or writing in the For Official Use Only block reserved for the Health Commissioner.
Frequently asked questions
What is BCHD Form 9-303 used for?
BCHD Form 9-303 is the application to the Baltimore City Health Commissioner for a temporary exemption from noise restrictions (Health Code §9-303) at a special public event. It collects details about the applicant, the event, the sound equipment and the reason the exemption is needed.
How far in advance do I apply for a Baltimore temporary noise exemption?
At least 20 days before the scheduled activity. The instructions give that lead time for completing the application, so submit it, with your community support documents, before the 20-day mark counted from the event date.
Do I need letters of support for the noise exemption?
Yes. The instructions say you must obtain documents evidencing community support of your event 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 the Form 9-303 application?
Send 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. Questions go to (410) 396-4427. Include your community support documents.
Is Form 9-303 for private events too?
No. It covers events open to the public. For a private event, not open to the general public, the instructions say to use Baltimore City Health Department Form 9-209.
Do I need a noise exemption for a block party in Baltimore?
Only if the block party will use amplified sound or play music that will disturb other members of the community. The City's block party page then requires you to request a Temporary Noise Exemption from the Baltimore City Health Commissioner.
Does the noise exemption cover serving food or closing a street?
No. Serving or selling food needs a Baltimore City Health Department Temporary Food Service Facility License. A City park event needs a Special Events Permit, and a street closure needs a Street Event Permit, each from the department the form names.
Can I fill out Form 9-303 online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the application to the Baltimore City Health Department; you send it by mail or fax.
Ready to fill out BCHD Form 9-303?
Fill out BCHD Form 9-303 now