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Fairfax County Noise Ordinance

On November 17, 2015, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted a new Noise Ordinance to better address the methodology used in noise measurements, consider the appropriateness of establishing daytime and nighttime noise levels to protect the community, and to add other objective criteria to regulate noise within Fairfax County. The 2015 Noise Ordinance has subsequently been amended. The current Noise Ordinance is contained in Chapter 108.1 of the County Code.

The overall goal of the Noise Ordinance is to:

Recognize that there will always be certain levels of noise that occur in the normal course of daily living;
Allow certain levels of daytime noise so that people can live, work, and play during the day; and
Minimize nighttime noise so residents have an appropriate quiet environment in their homes at night.

The overall framework of the Noise Ordinance is to:

Prohibit certain activities (prohibitions);
Exclude certain activities from the Noise Ordinance (exceptions); and
When not specifically prohibited or excepted, then activities or sources of sound would be subject to maximum decibel levels.

Noise Ordinance Applicability

The above framework is further qualified by time, location, and duration limitations. A summary chart of the applicability of the New Noise Ordinance has been prepared. Some of the most common sources of noise complaints are included under the following numbered lines on the chart:

2. Outdoor Construction
5. Trash Collection
7. Outdoor Truck Loading and Unloading
8. Lawn Equipment
10. Noise from vehicles (not on road right-of-way) and noise made by people
11. Animals
16. Motor Vehicles on the Road
19. Heat pumps, air conditioners, and swimming pool pumps
20. Generators
24. Activities on Recreational Grounds
25. Dog Parks

View Noise Ordinance Applicability Summary Chart

Department of Code Compliance

The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) investigates complaints of noise when it is regulated by decibel level and/or when the noise occurs on a regularly occurring basis, such that it can be identified during a scheduled inspection. DCC is not "on call" to respond to noise complaints but schedules an inspection within a few days of the complaint. Each investigation requires staff to verify the issue in person, research property records, make multiple inspection attempts to identify patterns, and conduct noise meter readings if applicable.

Note on Construction Noise: Construction noise presents unique enforcement challenges due to its intermittent and temporary nature. In Fairfax County, construction activities are generally allowed between 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday, and 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays, with noise restricted to 90 dB at property boundaries in residential areas - a high threshold roughly the same as what you hear standing next to gas-powered lawn mower. While it is uncommon for construction noise to exceed this limit, DCC can communicate with property owners and construction companies to see if mitigation is available for concerns such as continuous use of jackhammers or work occurring outside permitted hours.

If a noise violation is found, DCC issues a Notice of Violation, which provides responsible parties with a certain timeline to comply. Failure to comply with a Notice of Violation could result in legal action to seek civil penalties or injunctive relief.

To make a complaint to DCC, report online or call 703-324-1300, TTY 711.

Police Department

The Police Department investigates complaints of noise from animals, people, motor vehicles and/or instruments (which includes any device which produces or amplifies sound, such as a radio) that is plainly audible and discernable in any other person's residential dwelling with the doors and windows closed. The Police Department can also respond to complaints regarding noise occurring at a prohibited time of day. But, unlike DCC, the Police can respond to a noise complaint while the noise is occurring, such as at night, early morning, and the weekends. The Police Department does not respond to complaints regarding noise regulated by decibel level.

If a noise violation is found, the responsible party will be notified of the violation and directed to comply. Failure to comply could result in criminal prosecution.

To make a complaint to the Police Department, call the non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, TTY 711.

Department of Public Works and Environmental Services

The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) investigates complaints concerning trash pick-up outside of the allowable hours. If a trash or recycling truck is loading or unloading materials in your residential neighborhood before 6 a.m. or after 9 p.m., they are in violation.

To make a complaint to DPWES, call 703-324-5230, TTY 711 during office hours (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday). If possible have information about the truck such as company, color, truck number, license plate number, etc.

Department of Planning and Development

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Fairfax County Noise Ordinance

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