Noise from Specific Sources in York County, VA (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated York County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
York County, Virginia exempts ordinary air conditioning, refrigeration and heating equipment noise from its ordinance under County Code § 16-19.5(f), but the exemption ends once the unit exceeds the Sec. 16-19.3 decibel limits and the owner fails to give the York County Sheriff a manufacturer-certified repair certificate within fifteen days of a violation notice.
York County VA HVAC Equipment Noise Rule
Light RestrictionsYork County Code § 16-19.5(f)
(f)Sound which is necessary for the protection or preservation of property or the health, safety, life or limb of any person, including sound generated by the normal operation of any air conditioning, refrigeration or heating equipment. However, as to any air conditioning, refrigeration or heating equipment found to exceed the maximum permissible sound pressure levels prescribed in section 16-1...
Generator Noise
York County, Virginia requires stationary internal combustion engines and generators, along with chain saws, power mowers, motorboats and motor vehicles, to discharge exhaust through a fully operational muffler under County Code § 16-19.2(e). Running a generator without proper muffling is one of the ordinance's specific noise prohibitions, enforced by the Sheriff's Office.
York County VA Generator & Engine Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsYork County Code § 16-19.2(e)
(e)Exhaust discharges and mechanical noises. The discharge into open air of the exhaust of any steam or diesel engine, stationary internal combustion engine, chain saw, power mower, motorboat or motor vehicle, except through a fully operational muffler or similar sound attenuation device.
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