Arlington County, VA Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Heavy trucks (GVW over 10,000 lbs)
- 86 dBA under 35 mph
- Same trucks at 35 mph+
- 90 dBA maximum
- Vans/light trucks under 10,000 lbs
- 70/79 dBA limit
- Measurement distance
- at least 50 feet from source
- Enforcing agency
- County Manager, Code § 15-4
- Fine range
- $250 first offense, $500 repeat
Summary
Arlington County limits how loud a delivery truck can legally be on county streets. Code § 15-5.B routes all motor vehicle noise, including delivery and box trucks, through Table II: vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight cannot exceed 86 dBA below 35 mph or 90 dBA at highway speed, measured from 50 feet away.
B. Motor vehicle noise sources. Motor vehicle noise sources are subject to the noise limits set forth in Table II below. ... 2. Any noise measurement made to determine compliance with subsection B. of this section shall be taken at a distance of at least fifty (50) feet from the noise source. ... 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
Full Breakdown
Chapter 15 of the Arlington County Code sets a separate, higher noise ceiling for motor vehicles than for stationary sources. B, "motor vehicle noise sources are subject to the noise limits set forth in Table II," which sorts vehicles by class: motorcycles may reach 80 dBA under 35 mph and 84 dBA at or above that speed; trucks and vans with a gross vehicle weight under 10,000 pounds are capped at 70 dBA and 79 dBA; and heavier delivery, box and refuse trucks with a gross vehicle weight over 10,000 pounds top out at 86 dBA under 35 mph and 90 dBA at or above.
2 sets the measurement protocol: readings for motor vehicle compliance are taken from at least 50 feet from the source. The County Manager administers and enforces Chapter 15 under § 15-4 and can order inspections under § 15-8 when a complaint alleges a violation. I limits how long a commercial vehicle's propulsion engine may idle while parked or stopped. Together these sections mean a delivery truck rumbling through a residential street, idling with its engine running, or blasting its horn to announce a drop-off can trigger separate County Code violations even where only one is cited.
Violations & Fines
A truck operator who exceeds the Table II decibel limits is subject to a civil citation from the County Manager under § 15-10: a fine of up to $250 for a first violation and up to $500 for each subsequent violation, with every hour the noise continues unabated counted as a separate offense. Citations can be appealed to the Arlington County General District Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the truck noise limit cover UPS, Amazon and other delivery trucks?
How is truck noise measured for enforcement?
What happens if a delivery truck idles outside my house for 20 minutes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington County
Compare Arlington County to another location·View the Virginia noise from specific sources overview
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