Virginia Beach's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Virginia Beach, Virginia, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Barking Dogs

Virginia Beach bans letting a dog bark, whine, howl, or cry without provocation in a loud, continuous or untimely manner that disturbs neighbors' peace, with the dog's owner or keeper held responsible for controlling it.

Key details: Governs: Barking, whining, howling, crying without cause. First response: Officer warns owner to control dog. Escalation: Dog impounded if owner won't comply. Repeat offenses: 3+ in 12 months = court nuisance case. Enforced by: Animal control or police officer.

Unlawful under § 5-532; officer warns the owner first, then may impound the dog and issue a summons if the owner won't or can't control it. Repeat violations (3+ in 12 months) escalate to a court nuisance case under § 5-533.

Vehicle Noise

Loud car stereos and excessive exhaust noise are banned citywide, with vehicle sound capped by a dBA speed-class table and stereos audible past 100 feet.

Key details: Stereo audibility limit: 100+ feet from vehicle. Exhaust noise, cars/motorcycles: 76-90 dBA by class/speed. First offense: Class 3 misdemeanor. Repeat within 1 year: Class 2 misdemeanor. Enforced by: Virginia Beach Police Dept..

Class 3 misdemeanor (fine) for a first offense; a repeat violation within one year is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Aircraft Noise

New homes and buildings inside NAS Oceana's airport noise zones must include sound-reduction construction meeting the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, with the strictest zones facing the toughest acoustical standards.

Key details: Noise zones: 4 zones, <65 to >75 dB DNL. Accident zones: CZ, APZ-I, APZ-II. Trigger date (residential): Construction after Jan. 1, 1995. Exemption: Zones under 65 dB DNL exempt. Enforcement: Permits and Inspections Division.

A willful violation is a misdemeanor punishable under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Volume I. The city can also issue a stop-work order or seek a circuit court injunction against continuing violations.

Construction Hours

Virginia Beach bans bulldozers, cranes, backhoes, pile drivers, jackhammers and similar construction equipment from operating between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless the city manager authorizes an exception in writing.

Key details: Curfew: 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Covers: bulldozers, cranes, backhoes, jackhammers. Enforced by: Virginia Beach Police Department. Exception: written city manager authorization. Penalty: Class 3 misdemeanor, first offense.

First offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor; a repeat violation within one year of a prior conviction is a Class 2 misdemeanor, per Code § 23-66.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Virginia Beach actively enforces its construction hours requirements.

Quiet Hours

Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., sound audible in a neighbor's home over 55 dBA violates city code, measured indoors near the source wall.

Key details: Nighttime hours: 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.. Nighttime limit: 55 dBA indoors. Daytime limit: 65 dBA, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.. Enforcement: Police dept. or citizen summons. First offense: Class 3 misdemeanor.

First offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor; a repeat violation within one year of a prior conviction is a Class 2 misdemeanor. The city may also seek a circuit court injunction against a continuing violation.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Outdoor amplified sound like stereos, TVs and speakers is capped at 80 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 75 dB(A) overnight, measured from any public area or neighboring private property.

Key details: Daytime limit: 80 dB(A), 7 a.m.–11 p.m.. Nighttime limit: 75 dB(A), 11 p.m.–7 a.m.. Measured from: public street, sidewalk, or neighboring property. First offense: Class 3 misdemeanor. Enforced by: Virginia Beach Police Department.

First offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor; a repeat violation within one year is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Police can issue a summons, and the city may also seek a circuit court injunction against a continuing violation.

Decibel Limits

Virginia Beach caps residential noise at 55 dBA overnight and 65 dBA during the day, measured inside the neighboring home four feet from the wall.

Key details: Nighttime cap: 55 dBA, 10 p.m.–7 a.m.. Daytime cap: 65 dBA, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.. Measurement point: Inside receiving residence, 4 ft from wall. First offense: Class 3 misdemeanor. Repeat offense (1 yr): Class 2 misdemeanor.

First offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor; a repeat violation within one year escalates to a Class 2 misdemeanor. The city can also pursue an injunction in circuit court for a continuing violation.

The Bottom Line

Virginia Beach's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Virginia Beach is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Virginia Beach's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.