Noise Ordinances in Arlington County, VA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Arlington County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Arlington County's Noise Control Ordinance defines "Nighttime" as everything outside "Daytime" hours (7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends and legal holidays), and bars specific noisy activities during that window regardless of decibel level, including motorized lawn and garden maintenance, refuse collection, and outcry selling. The County Manager enforces the curfew under Chapter 15, with criminal and civil penalties for violations.
Arlington County Nighttime Noise Curfew Hours
Some RestrictionsArlington County Code § 15-3
“Daytime” means the local time of day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday. ... “Nighttime” means those times of day not included in the definition of "Daytime."
Construction Hours
Arlington County's Noise Control Ordinance confines loud construction work to Daytime hours only, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and caps construction noise at 90 dBA no matter the time, under § 15-5.D. Emergency utility repairs are exempt from the daytime-only rule.
Arlington County Construction Noise Hour Limits
Some RestrictionsArlington County Code § 15-5.D
Any construction activities which produce noise which exceeds the noise limits established in Table I shall be permitted only during the Daytime. ... In no event shall noise originating from construction sites exceed ninety (90) dBA. Measurements of construction-related noise are to be taken in accordance with the procedures established in § 15-5.C.
Barking Dogs
Arlington County treats a persistently noisy pet as a noise violation. Code § 15-6.L makes it unlawful for an owner to let an animal or bird create noise audible at least once a minute for 10 consecutive minutes inside a neighbor's home, at the street edge, or across a property line.
Arlington County Barking Dog Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsArlington County Code § 15-6.L
L. It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, possesses or harbors any animal or bird to permit that animal or bird to create a noise that is audible at least once per minute for ten (10) consecutive minutes within any dwelling unit, house or apartment of another person, at any street edge, or across a real property boundary.
Leaf Blower Rules
Arlington County has banned gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums outright: Code § 15-6.Q makes it unlawful to operate one "at any time," anywhere in the County. A separate rule, § 15-6.K, bars any motorized leaf-blowing device, gas or electric, in an "R" residential zoning district outside the code's Daytime hours.
Arlington County Leaf Blower Rules
Heavy RestrictionsArlington County Code §§ 15-6.K, 15-6.Q
K. It shall be unlawful to operate a motorized leaf-blowing device in any “R” zoning district during the Nighttime. ... Q. It shall be unlawful to operate or permit the operation of any gas-powered leaf blower or gas-powered leaf vacuum at any time. (1-1-75; 8-14-76; 8-25-81; Ord. No. 14-04, 5-10-14, effective 7-1-14; Ord. No. 26-16, 7-18-26. Effective 1-1-29;)
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Section 15-6.F bars playing a radio, stereo, loudspeaker or musical instrument loudly enough to be heard inside another person's dwelling from 20 feet away, or 50 feet across a property line or street edge, at any hour and regardless of the decibel reading.
Arlington County Amplified Sound And Loudspeaker Ban
Significant RestrictionsArlington County Code § 15-6.F
It shall be unlawful for any person to use, operate, or play, or to permit the use, operation or playing of, any radio, television, phonograph, record, compact disc or tape player, drum, musical instrument, loudspeaker, sound amplifier or similar device or machine which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound in such a manner as to be heard within any dwelling unit, house or apartment of anothe...
Decibel Limits
Table I of Arlington County's Noise Control Ordinance sets maximum sound levels by zoning district and time of day: industrial zones cap out at 70 dBA at all hours, commercial zones at 65 dBA, and residential/apartment zones at 60 dBA by day and 55 dBA at night, measured from the property receiving the noise.
Arlington County Noise Decibel Limits By Zone
Some RestrictionsArlington County Code § 15-5.A, Table I
A. Noise sources other than motor vehicles. Noise from sources other than motor vehicles, unless exempt pursuant to §§ 15-5.F. or 15-15, shall not exceed the noise limits set forth in Table I below for each of the zoning districts indicated during the time of day indicated. The maximum permissible noise shall be that associated with the zoning district classification of the property that receiv...
Vehicle Noise
Table II of Arlington County's Noise Control Ordinance caps motor-vehicle noise by class and speed: motorcycles at 80/84 dBA, vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVW at 70/79 dBA, and heavier vehicles at 86/90 dBA, measured 50 feet away. Horn use and commercial engine idling past 10 minutes are separately barred.
Arlington County Motor Vehicle Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsArlington County Code § 15-5.B, Table II
TABLE II MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE FROM MOTOR VEHICLES. Class of Source Vehicle: Up to 35 miles per hour / 35 miles per hour & above. Motorcycle 80 dBA / 84 dBA. Total GVW < 10,000 lbs. 70 dBA / 79 dBA. Total GVW > 10,000 lbs. 86 dBA / 90 dBA.
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