Noise Ordinances in Loudoun County, VA (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Loudoun County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Loudoun County's noise ordinance bars any sound audible and discernible inside a neighbor's closed residence at any hour, and layers on specific nighttime curfews: refuse collection, lawn equipment, model vehicles and amplified sound are all restricted overnight, generally 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Loudoun County Nighttime Noise Curfew Rules
Some RestrictionsLoudoun County, VA Codified Ordinances § 654.02(c), (d)(1)-(2)
No person shall permit, operate, or cause any source of sound or sound generation to create a sound that is audible and discernible in any other person's residential dwelling with the doors and windows to that other person's residential dwelling closed. ... (1) The sound generated by the collection of refuse, waste, or recycling in residential areas and/or within 100 yards of a residence betwee...
Construction Hours
Loudoun County bans construction, demolition, and maintenance work that produces sound between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, and until 9 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays, under the county's excessive-sound ordinance. The rule applies to the unincorporated county and is enforced by the Sheriff's Office as a noise misdemeanor.
Loudoun County Construction Noise Hours Ordinance
Some RestrictionsLoudoun County, VA Code of Ordinances § 654.02(d)(7)
Construction, demolition and/or maintenance activities which produce sound between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (or until 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays).
Barking Dogs
Loudoun County's animal-noise ordinance, Section 612.19(a)(5), makes it unlawful to own or harbor an animal that howls, barks or makes other sounds audible in a neighbor's home for ten minutes or more with that neighbor's doors and windows closed, but an Animal Control Officer or police officer must verify the complaint first.
Loudoun County Barking Dog Noise Law
Some RestrictionsLoudoun County, VA, Codified Ordinances § 612.19(a)(5) (Other Unlawful Acts — Animal Noise)
Animal noise. No person shall own, possess or harbor any animal which continues for ten minutes or more in duration, to howl, bark or make other sounds which are audible and discernible in any other person’s residential dwelling with the doors and windows to that other person’s residential dwelling closed. All such complaints must be verified by an Animal Control Officer or a law-enforcement of...
Leaf Blower Rules
Loudoun County bars running power lawn or landscaping equipment, including leaf blowers, between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. under its noise ordinance. Golf courses get a wider window, from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., under a specific exemption.
Loudoun County Lawn & Leaf-Blower Noise Hours
Light RestrictionsLoudoun County, VA Codified Ordinances § 654.02(d)(2), (e)(2)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the sounds generated by the following acts, among others, are declared to be plainly audible noise in violation of this section, and are specifically prohibited: ... (2) The operation of power lawn or landscaping equipment between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. ... The operation of power lawn or landscaping equipment for golf course maintenanc...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Loudoun County bans outdoor music after 11:00 p.m. on any use governed by the Zoning Ordinance's use-specific noise standards, under Section 7.05.03.F.3. The curfew sits alongside a countywide decibel table, 55 dB(A) for residential receiving properties, 65 for commercial, 70 for industrial, and a 250-foot buffer for noise-producing activity near existing homes.
Loudoun County Outdoor Music Curfew Rule
Some RestrictionsLoudoun County, VA, Zoning Ordinance § 7.05.03.F.3
Use-Specific Standards, Noise. The following noise standards apply to all use-specific standards of Chapter 4 unless the use-specific standards provide otherwise. ... 3. Outdoor Music. Outdoor music is not permitted after 11:00 p.m.
Aircraft Noise
Loudoun's Airport Impact Overlay District bars new homes inside the Ldn 65 aircraft-noise contour around Dulles and Leesburg Municipal Airport, and forces acoustical treatment holding interior noise to Ldn 45 dB(A) for homes built between the Ldn 60 and Ldn 65 contours.
Loudoun County Airport Impact Noise Rules
Significant RestrictionsLoudoun County, VA, Zoning Ordinance § 5.02.B.2.b, B.3
Ldn 60 – 65. ... Acoustical Treatment. The applicant must incorporate acoustical treatment into all residential uses and structures to ensure that interior noise levels within living spaces (not including garages, sunrooms, or porches) do not exceed an average sound level of Ldn 45 db(A). ... Ldn 65 or Higher. Residential uses and structures are not permitted.
Decibel Limits
Loudoun County's Zoning Ordinance sets four round-the-clock noise ceilings in Table 7.05.03-1: 60 dB(A) for mixed-use residential, 55 dB(A) for residential and rural economy uses, 65 dB(A) for commercial, civic, and institutional uses, and 70 dB(A) for industrial uses, all measured at the receiving property's lot line.
Loudoun County Zoning Noise Decibel Table
Some RestrictionsLoudoun County, VA, Zoning Ordinance § 7.05.03.D, Table 7.05.03-1
D. Maximum Sound Levels. The maximum sound levels provided in Table 7.05.03-1 apply at all times of day and night. Table 7.05.03-1. Maximum Sound Levels Receiving Development Mixed Use Residential Residential and Rural Economy Uses Commercial, Civic, and Institutional Uses Industrial Uses Maximum dB(A) 60 55 65 70
Vehicle Noise
Loudoun County bans tire-spinning, engine-racing and unmuffled exhausts on motor vehicles under its noise ordinance, and caps horn or alarm sounding at 20 consecutive seconds: after that, an unattended vehicle can be towed if the alarm keeps going for 15 minutes once an officer arrives.
Loudoun County Vehicle Noise & Muffler Rules
Some RestrictionsLoudoun County, VA Codified Ordinances § 654.02(d)(4), (6)
The spinning of tires, racing of engines or other noise, or other similar acts in a motor vehicle or motorcycle, as well as the emission of noise created by the absence of a muffler and/or exhaust system conforming to the provisions of Virginia Code §§ 46.2-1047 and 46.2-1049 on a motor vehicle or motorcycle. ... The sounding of any horn or signaling device/alarm ... continuously or intermitten...
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