Quiet Hours: Fairfax vs Vienna
How do quiet hours rules compare between Fairfax, VA and Vienna, VA?
Fairfax and Vienna have similar restriction levels.
Fairfax, VA
Fairfax County
City of Fairfax Code Chapter 62 (Noise) establishes nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM on weekdays and 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM on weekends and holidays. During these hours, sound from residential, commercial, or social activity must not be plainly audible at property lines. Virginia Code Section 15.2-1429 authorizes the city to regulate noise under its general police powers.
View full Fairfax rules →Vienna, VA
Fairfax County
The Town of Vienna restricts unreasonably loud, disturbing, or unnecessary noise at all hours under Chapter 13 of the Town Code, with enhanced nighttime restrictions from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM on weekdays and 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM on weekends. Residential quiet hours prohibit any noise audible at the property line that disturbs a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities.
View full Vienna rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fairfax | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Weeknight quiet hours | 10 PM to 7 AM | - |
| Weekend quiet hours | 11 PM to 8 AM | - |
| Standard | Plainly audible at 50 feet | - |
| Penalty | Class 3 or 4 misdemeanor | - |
| Authority | VA Code 15.2-1429 | - |
| Fact | - | Weeknight quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fairfax FAQ
Can police ticket me on the first complaint?
Yes. Officers may issue a citation on the first observed violation, though warnings are common for minor first offenses in residential neighborhoods.
Do student rentals near GMU get special treatment?
No. The same quiet hours and plainly-audible standard apply to all residential properties within city limits regardless of occupant.
Are lawn mowers allowed early on weekends?
Power equipment is restricted during quiet hours, so mowing before 8 AM Saturday or Sunday can trigger a violation.
Vienna FAQ
Can I call police for a noisy neighbor at midnight?
Yes. Call Vienna Police non-emergency at 703-255-6366. They will respond and assess whether noise is plainly audible at the property line during quiet hours.
Does Vienna use decibel meters?
No. Like most Virginia localities after Tanner v. Virginia Beach, Vienna uses the plainly-audible standard rather than decibel measurements.
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