Fairfax County, VA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Fairfax County, VA, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Cutoff, Sun-Thu
- 10 p.m.
- Cutoff, Fri/Sat/pre-holiday
- 11 p.m.
- Daytime standard
- Sec. 108.1-4-2 sound table
- Applies to
- recreational grounds
Summary
Outdoor loudspeakers and instruments on recreational grounds must stop by 10 p.m. and stay within the county's daytime sound-level table.
Activity on recreational grounds customarily associated with its intended use shall not be subject to the provisions of this Chapter between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, or between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday or the day before a Federal holiday. The use of loudspeakers or instruments associated with such activities shall be prohibited between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and shall be subject to the Maximum Sound Levels Table in Sect. 108-1.4.2 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.(s)The use of dog parks between 7 a.m. and dusk Monday through Friday, or between 8 a.m. and dusk on Saturday, Sunday and Federal holidays.(t)Bells, carillons, and other calls to worship shall not be subject to this chapter between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. provided that any such sounds do not occur for more than five consecutive or nonconsecutive minutes in any one hour. (29-15-108.1.)
Full Breakdown
The Noise Ordinance exempts recreational-ground activity from the general noise rules only until 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday (11 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and the day before a federal holiday). Loudspeakers or instruments used for those activities are barred outright between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and while operating between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. they must still meet the Maximum Sound Levels table in Section 108.1-4-2.
Violations & Fines
Class 2 misdemeanor, up to 6 months jail and a $1,000 fine, or a civil penalty of $250 (first offense) / $500 (each subsequent offense).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a park in Fairfax County run amplified music at night?
What limit applies before 10 p.m.?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
Compare Fairfax County to another location·View the Virginia noise ordinances overview
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