Noise Ordinances in Charlottesville, VA (2026)
5 verified noise ordinances for Charlottesville, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, construction, repair, remodeling, demolition and grading noise is exempt from the citywide 65 dB(A) daytime sound cap, so contractors can run loud equipment between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. without a decibel limit. City Code Section 16-8 still holds every noise source, including job sites, to the nighttime cap of 55 dB(A) in residential zones between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Charlottesville Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 16-8(a), (d)(3)
(a)Nighttime. No person shall permit, operate or cause any source of sound to create a sound level in a residential zone or within any residential building during the hours between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in excess of fifty-five (55) dB(A) when measured at or outside the property boundary. ... (d)Exemptions. The following activities or sources of noise shall be exempt from the daytime prohibit...
Barking Dogs
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, City Code § 4-39 makes it unlawful to harbor a dog whose loud, frequent or habitual barking or howling disturbs the peace of a person or neighborhood. Anyone annoyed by the noise can file a criminal complaint in general district court against the dog's owner or custodian.
Charlottesville Barking Dog Nuisance Law
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 4-39
(a)The harboring or keeping of any dog which, by loud, frequent or habitual barking or howling, shall cause annoyance and disturb the peace and quiet of any person or neighborhood is hereby declared to be a nuisance and unlawful.(b)Any person annoyed by loud, frequent or habitual barking or howling by a dog may enter a complaint by warrant returnable to the general district court, where the com...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Restaurants and music halls in Charlottesville cannot run amplified sound above 75 dB(A) at a residential property line between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. City Code Section 16-11 tightens that cap to 55 dB(A) for venues in the Neighborhood Commercial Corridor district, described at City Code Section 34-541.
Charlottesville Amplified Sound Limits for Venues
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 16-11
No person shall permit, operate or cause any amplified sound to create a sound level emanating from a restaurant or music hall during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in excess of seventy-five (75) dB(A) (fifty-five (55) dB(A) in the Neighborhood Commercial Corridor district, described at City Code section 34-541) when measured at a residential property boundary.
Decibel Limits
The City of Charlottesville caps noise in residential zones at 55 dB(A) overnight and 65 dB(A) during the day. City Code Section 16-8 measures both limits at or outside the property boundary and applies them to any source of sound in an R-1, R-2, R-3, R-UMD, R-UHD, RMHP, PUD or similar residential district under Chapter 34.
Charlottesville Residential Noise Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 16-8(a), (b)
(a)Nighttime. No person shall permit, operate or cause any source of sound to create a sound level in a residential zone or within any residential building during the hours between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in excess of fifty-five (55) dB(A) when measured at or outside the property boundary.(b)Daytime. No person shall permit, operate or cause any source of sound to create a sound level in a resi...
Vehicle Noise
Charlottesville caps motor vehicle exhaust and engine noise by class and speed, and separately bars loud car stereos. City Code Section 16-9(a) sets a sliding dB(A) table by vehicle weight and speed limit, while Section 16-9(c) makes it unlawful to play a vehicle radio or amplifier loud enough to disturb people outside the car.
Charlottesville Vehicle Exhaust and Stereo Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 16-9(a), (c)
(a)No person shall operate or cause to be operated a public or private motor vehicle or motorcycle on a public right-of-way at any time in such a manner that the sound level emitted by the motor vehicle or motorcycle, when measured at a distance of fifty (50) feet or more, exceeds the level set forth in the following table: ... Vehicle Class Speed limit 35 MPH or less Speed limit over 35 MPH Al...