Noise from Specific Sources in Albemarle County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Albemarle County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Central air conditioners, heat pumps and other home appliances are exempt from Albemarle County's noise ordinance as long as they are in good repair, per County Code § 7-106(G). The exemption sits inside a broader noise article that otherwise caps sound at a 15 dBA rise over ambient levels, so routine HVAC operation escapes those numeric limits entirely.
Albemarle County HVAC Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 7-106(G)
G.Home appliances. Sound produced by the normal use of home appliances such as generators, air conditioners, heat pumps, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers, provided that the appliances are in good repair.
Bar & Nightclub Noise
In Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville, sound from a device inside a restaurant, dance hall or other "place of public entertainment" is unlawful under County Code § 7-105(B)(3) if it runs five or more continuous minutes and carries 100 feet past the property line, or reaches a neighboring dwelling between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Albemarle County Bar and Nightclub Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 7-103, 7-105(B)(3)
"Place of public entertainment" means a building or other place used primarily as a cinema, theater, amphitheater, concert hall, public hall, dance hall, restaurant, or other place of entertainment open to the public, regardless of whether the payment of money or other consideration is required for admission, but does not include a music festival authorized by a special use permit under County ...
Car Alarm Limits
In Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville, a vehicle's horn or warning device, including a back-up alarm, is exempt from the county noise ordinance under County Code § 7-106(R) when it is sounding as a warning device. Sound from a vehicle's stereo or other sound-reproducing device is separately regulated under § 7-105(B)(1)-(2).
Albemarle County Vehicle Alarm Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code § 7-106(R)
R.Warning devices. Sound produced by a horn or warning device of a vehicle when used as a warning device, including back-up alarms for trucks and other equipment.
Generator Noise
In Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville, sound from a power generator is exempt from the county noise ordinance under County Code § 7-106(E) during an emergency or power outage, and under § 7-106(G) as a home appliance in good repair during normal use.
Albemarle County Generator Noise Exemptions
Few RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 7-106(E), 7-106(G)
E.Emergency operations. Sound produced in the performance of emergency operations including, but not limited to, audible signal devices which are employed as warning or alarm signals in case of fire, collision, or imminent danger, or sound produced by power generators during power outages and other emergency situations. ... G.Home appliances. Sound produced by the normal use of home appliances ...
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