Noise Ordinances in Norfolk, VA (2026)
8 verified noise ordinances for Norfolk, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Norfolk's general noise curfew runs from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.: under Sec. 26-6(a)(2), any audio player or similar device that is plainly audible 100 feet away during the day drops to a 50-foot threshold at night, and yelling or shouting under Sec. 26-6(a)(5) becomes a per se offense at 50 feet in that same window.
Norfolk Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 26-6(a)(2)
(2)Audio players, musical instruments, and similar devices. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any audio player, musical instrument, or any device capable of producing or reproducing sound in such a manner or with such volume or physically perceptible vibrations that it is plainly audible (i) inside the confines of another person's enclosed dwelling unit or enclosed ve...
Construction Hours
Norfolk bars bulldozers, jackhammers, chain saws, pile drivers, and other construction equipment from running between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under Sec. 26-6(a)(7), unless the city manager or a designee authorizes an exception in writing. Daytime construction noise isn't capped by this per se rule.
Norfolk Construction Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 26-6(a)(7)
(7)Construction equipment, pneumatic hammer, chain saw, etc. The operation of any bulldozer, crane, backhoe, front loader, pile driver, jackhammer, pneumatic drill, pneumatic hammer, chain saw, steam shovel, derrick, steam or electric hoist, or other appliance or other construction equipment between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless exempt or specifically deemed necessary and author...
Barking Dogs
Norfolk requires owners to control their animals so they do not become a public nuisance, and specifically names excessive, continuous, or untimely barking, along with molesting passersby and trespassing, as nuisance conduct that can draw a citation.
Norfolk Excessive Barking Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 6.1-76
(a)It shall be unlawful for any owner or custodian of an animal to fail to exercise proper care and control of his animal to prevent it from becoming a public nuisance. Excessive, continuous or untimely barking, molesting of passersby, chasing vehicles, attacking other domestic animals, or trespassing upon school grounds or trespassing upon private or public property shall be deemed a nuisance....
Leaf Blower Rules
Norfolk bans lawn care noise audible inside a neighbor's home between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The rule covers leaf blowers, mowers, and other landscaping equipment under City Code § 26-6(a)(9), a per se noise offense enforced by Norfolk Police without any decibel meter. Violators face a Class 3 misdemeanor with fines up to $500 under § 26-4.
Norfolk Leaf Blower and Lawn Care Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 26-6(a)(9)
(9)Lawn care activities. Creating any noise plainly audible inside the confines of another person's enclosed dwelling unit between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in connection with lawn care, leaf removal, gardening, tree maintenance or removal, or other landscaping activities.(b)Immediate threats to health and welfare.(1)An enforcement officer may order an immediate halt to any sound which exposes a...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Norfolk bans loudspeakers, PA systems, and amplifiers, including car audio, from running between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. if the sound is plainly audible inside a neighbor's dwelling, 50 feet away, or on Granby Street, within 10 feet of a bar or restaurant entrance with doors and windows closed. Sec. 26-6(a)(3) sets the rule.
Norfolk Amplified Sound Time Limits
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 26-6(a)(3)
(3)Loudspeakers, public address systems, amplifiers, and similar devices. Using, operating, or permitting the operation of any loudspeaker, public address system, mobile sound vehicle, communication system, amplifier, or similar device capable of amplifying sound, including any such device in a motor vehicle, for any purpose between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to p...
Aircraft Noise
Norfolk's noise chapter carves aircraft out entirely: Sec. 26-5(8) exempts all aircraft under Federal Aviation Administration jurisdiction from the city's noise rules. With Naval Station Norfolk, nearby NAS Oceana approach corridors, and Norfolk International Airport in the area, residents cannot use Chapter 26 to cite jet, helicopter, or military flight noise.
Norfolk Exempts FAA-Regulated Aircraft Noise
Few RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 26-5(8)
No provision of this chapter applies to: (1)Sound or noise with the purpose of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency.(2)Noises resulting from any public emergency vehicle at any time or resulting from other authorized emergency vehicles when responding to an emergency call or acting in time of emergency.(3)Noises resulting from emergency and public safety work necessary to restor...
Decibel Limits
Norfolk caps ambient sound by zoning district under Table II of City Code § 26-6(c). Residential and most special-purpose districts top out at 57 dB(A) daytime and 52 dB(A) overnight, while industrial zones allow up to 77 dB(A) around the clock; measured sound may exceed ambient by no more than 10 decibels.
Norfolk Sound Pressure Level Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 26-6(c)
(c)Offenses requiring scientific measurement of sound levels. Any noise not listed as an exemption or prohibited act in this subsection, that exceeds the maximum sound pressure level in Table II below is a violation of this chapter. Where the ambient noise level exceeds the maximum sound pressure levels, the noise complained of is permitted to exceed the ambient level by ten (10) decibels but n...
Vehicle Noise
Norfolk prohibits modified exhausts, engine braking without need, and car audio plainly audible at 50 feet. VA Code 46.2-1049 (mufflers) and 46.2-1050 (exhaust modifications) apply statewide and are enforced by Norfolk Police.
Noise: Vehicle Noise
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 46.2-1049
§ 46.2-1049 . Exhaust system in good working order. No person shall drive and no owner of a vehicle shall permit or allow the operation of any such vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual levels of noise, provided, however, that for motor vehicles, such exhaust system shall be of a type ins...