10 rules for unincorporated Henrico County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68 sets residential quiet hours from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sound-producing devices audible 50+ feet, or inside a neighbor's dwelling, during that window are unlawful countywide. Enforcement uses a plainly-audible standard, not decibels.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(2)
In residential areas, at 50 or more feet from the device between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(5) bans construction and demolition noise plainly audible in a residential area between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Work is effectively allowed 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Urban-mixed-use zones are exempt, and no decibel cap applies.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(5)
The creation of any sound or noise between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. that is plainly audible in a residential area, except those areas zoned for urban mixed use, when the sound or noise is produced in connection with... Construction or demolition activities.
Under Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(3), a barking or noisy animal is unlawful when plainly audible inside a neighbor's dwelling, or at 100+ feet, at least once a minute for ten consecutive minutes, any time of day. Commercial kennels and vets are exempt 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(3)
Allowing any animal to cause any sound or noise such that it is plainly audible... At 100 or more feet from the animal at least once a minute for ten consecutive minutes.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(8) bans leaf blowers, mowers and other lawn or landscaping noise plainly audible in residential areas between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Daytime use (7 a.m.-11 p.m.) is allowed. Golf-course and ball-field maintenance is exempt.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(8)
Creating any sound or noise plainly audible in residential areas between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in connection with lawn care, leaf removal, gardening, tree maintenance or removal or other landscaping, lawn or timbering activities.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(2) bans radios, speakers, instruments and amplifiers, indoors or out, that are plainly audible inside a neighbor's dwelling, or at 50+ feet in residential areas between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. No decibel meter is used.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(2)
The use, operation, or playing of any radio, phonograph, television... microphone, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or similar device... in such a manner or with such volume or duration that it is plainly audible... In residential areas, at 50 or more feet from the device between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Henrico County does not regulate aircraft noise. County Code Sec. 10-69(9) expressly exempts aircraft from the noise ordinance, and Sec. 10-69(14) defers to federal law, which preempts local aircraft-noise control. Complaints about Richmond International (RIC) flights go to the FAA and airport.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-69(9)
The prohibitions of section 10-68 shall not apply to any sound or noise generated by any of the following:... (9) Locomotives and other railroad equipment, and aircraft.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(2) exempts commercial, industrial and other non-residential noise sources between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.; overnight they remain limited. Urban-mixed-use commercial establishments are also exempt. Zoning (Chapter 24) governs where industrial uses may operate.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(2)
The prohibition in this subparagraph (2) does not apply... between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. when the source of the sound is a recreational or athletic facility or commercial, industrial, or other non-residential property.
No. Henrico County Code Article III (Sec. 10-67 to 10-69) enforces noise by a plainly-audible standard measured inside a neighbor's dwelling or at set distances (50 or 100 feet), not by decibel readings. Virginia moved away from dB-based model rules after Tanner v. Virginia Beach.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(2) applies to sound devices located inside or outside a structure. Outdoor speakers or music audible 50+ feet in residential areas between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., or inside a neighbor's dwelling, are prohibited countywide.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(2)
...regardless of whether such sound-producing or sound-reproducing device is located inside of a structure or outside of or on a structure, in such a manner or with such volume or duration that it is plainly audible... In residential areas, at 50 or more feet from the device between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(7) bans amplified sound from a motor vehicle plainly audible from outside at a distance of 50 feet or more. Ice-cream trucks may play music only 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Virginia Code Sec. 15.2-919 also lets localities limit motorcycle noise.
Henrico County Code Sec. 10-68(7)
Playing, using or operating... any radio, stereo, tape player, compact disc player, loudspeaker or other electronic device... used for the amplification of sound, which is located on or within a motor vehicle and which is plainly audible from outside the motor vehicle at a distance of 50 feet or more.
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