Construction hours in Fairfax County, VA — sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances — set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Construction noise in Fairfax County is generally permitted Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and prohibited on Sundays and federal holidays. Emergency repairs and public infrastructure work are exempt. Violations fall under Chapter 108 of the County Code.
Fairfax County Code Chapter 108 restricts construction activity that produces sound plainly audible at 50 feet to the hours of 7:00 AM through 9:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and federal holidays except for emergency repairs necessary to restore utilities, prevent imminent property damage, or protect public safety. VDOT roadwork, utility restoration after storms, and emergency tree removal are exempt. The ordinance covers hammering, power tool use, heavy equipment operation, jackhammering, concrete pouring, and demolition. Homeowners doing their own projects are subject to the same hour limits as contractors. For large projects, the Fairfax County Department of Land Development Services may issue site-specific conditions through the site plan approval process that further restrict hours near sensitive receptors like schools or hospitals. Enforcement is handled by Fairfax County Police for acute violations and the Department of Code Compliance for ongoing issues. Developers working near residential zones often voluntarily adopt 8 AM start times for noisy operations to reduce complaints.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Fairfax County's construction hours rules stack up against other locations.
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