Frederick County, VA Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)

Section 118-4.C of the Frederick County Code defines 'plainly audible' as any sound that can be heard clearly by a person using unaided hearing, and it goes further for music specifically: when music is involved, detecting rhythmic bass tones alone is enough to count as plainly audible sound. That definition matters because § 118-4.A bans operating a radio, amplifier, musical instrument or similar device when it is 'plainly audible or exceeding 60 decibels' across a residential property boundary, through shared partitions, or at 50 feet or more from its source.

Because the bass-tone standard satisfies 'plainly audible' on its own, Sheriff's deputies enforcing Chapter 118 do not need a decibel meter reading to cite low-frequency bass, such as from a car stereo, home theater subwoofer, or outdoor speaker, that carries into a neighbor's property; detecting the rhythmic thump is sufficient. The rule operates only within Chapter 118's overall scope: § 118-1.B confines the chapter to the RP, R4, R5, and MH1 residential-type zoning districts between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and § 118-1.C still requires a law enforcement officer to give notice and a chance to abate before a citation issues.