Noise Ordinance in Virginia (VA)
Virginia has moderate enforcement of noise regulations. Virginia does not have a statewide noise statute. Noise regulation is handled at the city and county level. The typical residential nighttime noise limit is No dB limit, with quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Fines for violations range from $100-$500.
Noise Regulations in Virginia
Overview
Virginia has no statewide noise law: the former noise enabling statute (Va. Code § 15.2-919) was repealed by Acts 2022, c. 490, and localities now regulate noise under their general powers. Rules are set city by city; Northern Virginia jurisdictions have the strictest local codes.
Residential Noise Limits
Virginia has no single statewide residential decibel limit — noise rules are set city by city. Check the city table below for local limits; many Virginia cities use a "plainly audible" or nuisance standard instead of specific decibel measurements.
Quiet hours — the period when stricter nighttime limits apply — run from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM in most Virginia jurisdictions. During these hours, activities that generate noise above the nighttime limit may result in a citation. Exemptions typically apply to emergency services, emergency repairs, and certain agricultural operations.
Construction Noise
Construction in Virginia is generally permitted from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays. Some cities allow Saturday construction with shorter hours (often 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), while Sunday and holiday construction is typically prohibited in residential areas. Emergency construction and utility repairs are usually exempt from time restrictions.
Fines and Penalties
Noise ordinance violations in Virginia typically carry fines ranging from $100-$500. First-time offenders usually receive a warning or the minimum fine. Repeat offenders face escalating penalties. In some jurisdictions, chronic noise violations can be classified as misdemeanors, and equipment generating the noise may be subject to seizure. Commercial establishments that repeatedly violate noise codes may face license suspension or revocation.
State Law
Virginia does not have a comprehensive statewide noise statute. Noise regulation is left to individual cities and counties, which means rules can vary significantly between neighboring jurisdictions. If you live in Virginia, check your specific city or county code for the noise rules that apply to your location. The data below covers the major cities in Virginia.
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City Noise Ordinances in Virginia
The following table shows noise ordinance details for 5 cities in Virginia. City-level rules may be stricter than the state standard. Click the city name for specific details.
| City | Day Limit | Night Limit | Quiet Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 65 dB | 55 dB | 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM | Virginia Beach City Code § 23-69 (Ord. 3082/3180): 65 dBA daytime (7 AM-10 PM) and 55 dBA nighttime (10 PM-7 AM), measured inside the receiving dwelling at least 4 ft from the wall with doors and windows closed — not at the property line. The oceanfront entertainment area has separate provisions. |
| Richmond | 65 dB | 55 dB | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | Richmond City Code Ch. 11, Art. II (Sec. 11-19 et seq., "Sound Control Ordinance"): Sec. 11-26 bans "excessive sound" at the property line of residential zones; Sec. 11-27 separately caps multifamily/mixed-use interior sound (measured 4 ft from the nearest wall/ceiling/floor). The code uses different thresholds for outside- vs. inside-structure measurement, so the stored 65/55 figures may reflect only the interior multifamily standard, not a general residential-zone figure — flagged for a cleaner follow-up read of §11-20/11-26/11-27. Quiet hours (11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.) confirmed. |
| Arlington | 60 dB | 55 dB | 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM | Arlington County Code Ch. 15 (Noise Control), §15-5, Table I: residential zoning districts capped at 60 dBA continuous noise in Daytime and 55 dBA in Nighttime, measured at the curb/property line. "Daytime" is 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. weekdays, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Sat/Sun/holidays — so quiet hours start at 9:00 p.m. nightly but extend later into the morning (until 10:00 a.m.) on weekends/holidays than the stored flat 7:00 a.m. cutoff reflects. |
| Alexandria | No dB limit | No dB limit | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | Alexandria City Code Title 11, Ch. 5 (§11-5 et seq.) sets a single residential limit of 55 dB(A) at the property line (no day/night split); commercial is 65 dB(A) (7am-11pm) / 60 dB(A) (11pm-7am). Loud noise in public places and residential stereo/speaker noise plainly audible at 50 ft is banned 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. Civil penalties: $100 first violation, $250 second, $500 third. |
| Norfolk | 60 dB | 55 dB | 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM | Norfolk City Code Chapter 26 ("Noise") covers noise; Chapter 27 is "Nuisances" and does not contain the noise provisions. Exact current dB figures are unconfirmed — the only full-text copy available is dated through Feb-2012 amendments (57/52 dBA day/night at the property line) and third-party sources describe a 2022 rewrite (Ord. 48,923) that may have replaced the dB table with a plainly-audible/distance test; flagged for a fresh pull of current §26-10 Table I before changing the stored numbers. |
How to Handle Noise Issues in Virginia
- Document everything: Keep a log of noise incidents including dates, times, duration, and type of noise. Record audio or video if possible.
- Talk to your neighbor first: Many noise issues can be resolved with a polite conversation. Your neighbor may not realize they are causing a disturbance.
- File a complaint: Contact your local non-emergency police line or 311 service. Have your noise log available when you call.
- Know your rights: The noise limits in your area are enforceable by law. Repeat violations can result in fines of $100-$500 in Virginia.
- Consider mediation: Many cities offer free mediation services for neighbor disputes, which can be faster and less adversarial than enforcement.
States with Similar Noise Enforcement
These states have the same enforcement level as Virginia (Moderate Enforcement):
| State | Night Limit | Quiet Hours | Fines | State Law? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (VA) | No dB limit | 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $100-$500 | No |
| Georgia (GA) | No dB limit | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $100-$1,000 | No |
| Michigan (MI) | No dB limit | 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $100-$500 | No |
| Missouri (MO) | No dB limit | 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $100-$500 | No |
| North Carolina (NC) | No dB limit | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $100-$500 | No |
| Ohio (OH) | No dB limit | 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $100-$500 | No |
Need More Information?
Use our noise ordinance lookup tool to quickly check any state or city's rules, or browse all 50 states + DC to compare noise ordinances across the country. Remember: noise rules vary by specific jurisdiction. Contact your local code enforcement office for the most current regulations in your area.