Alexandria, VA Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)

Chapter 8 of Title 10, Motor Vehicle Alarms, defines a 'false alarm' as any actuation not triggered by an actual or threatened theft, break-in or removal of parts, including alarms set off by faulty equipment, improper installation, or severe weather, under Sec. 10-8-1. Sec. 10-8-2 declares a vehicle alarm violating the chapter's rules a public nuisance: it may not sound continuously for more than one hour, and repeated actuation more frequently than twice in one hour or four times in 24 hours creates a rebuttable presumption of a false alarm, with the owner bearing the burden of proving otherwise.

Unlike most nuisance ordinances that lead with a fine, Alexandria's remedy under Sec. 10-8-3 is removal: the chief of police is authorized to have the vehicle towed to the city impoundment yard once a violation occurs. Before towing, the chief must attempt to notify the owner using available public records and give the owner up to one hour to abate the alarm, except that no notice or opportunity to abate is required if the alarm has gone off in violation of the chapter three or more times in a single 24-hour period.

The owner must pay the actual towing cost plus any accumulated storage and administrative fees set by the department of transportation and environmental services before the vehicle is released from impoundment. Sec. 10-8-3(d) makes this abatement the sole remedy for a violation of the chapter, meaning there is no separate criminal fine layered on top of the towing and storage costs.