Fairfax County, VA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Barred hours (weekdays)
- 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sun-Thu
- Barred hours (weekend/pre-holiday)
- 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- Daytime noise cap
- 90 dBA max in residential areas
- Weekend start time
- Not before 9 a.m. Sat/Sun/holidays
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail
- Civil penalty option
- $250 first offense, $500 repeat
- Waiver
- File with Director 14+ days ahead, up to 1 year
Summary
Fairfax County bars outdoor construction, repair, demolition or grading noise between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and the day before a federal holiday. Even in allowed daytime hours, work can't exceed 90 dBA in residential areas or start before 9 a.m. on weekends.
The following are violations of this Chapter:(a)Unless otherwise excepted by this Chapter, the use of a loudspeaker or other instrument that is mounted on the exterior of any structure or motor vehicle between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. ... (b)Any action related to the construction, repair, maintenance, remodeling or demolition, grading or other improvement of real property in the outdoors between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday, or between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and the day before a Federal holiday.
Full Breakdown
Section 108.1-4-1(b) makes it a violation to conduct "any action related to the construction, repair, maintenance, remodeling or demolition, grading or other improvement of real property in the outdoors" between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, or between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and the day before a federal holiday. The companion exception at Section 108.1-5-1(k) defines the lawful daytime window: construction noise between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. is exempt from the Chapter only if it does not exceed 90 dBA in residential areas, and it remains a violation to start such work before 9 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays even within that window.
The Chapter is administered by the Director and duly authorized agents, including the Zoning Administrator, the Department of Code Compliance, the Police Department and the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (Section 108.1-3-1(a)). A contractor or resident can apply to the Director for a waiver or partial waiver at least 14 days before it is needed under Section 108.1-6-1; the Director may grant it for up to one year, renewable, after weighing hardship, public benefit and feasibility of compliance, and a denial can be appealed in writing to the County Executive within 30 days.
Violations & Fines
A construction-noise violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor under Section 108.1-3-2(a), punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, either or both; failing to abate within the court-set deadline is a separate Class 2 misdemeanor. In lieu of criminal charges, the county may instead pursue a civil penalty of up to $250 for a first offense and up to $500 for each later offense under Section 108.1-3-2(b), though that civil option does not apply to noise from industrially zoned business activity or railroads. The Board may also seek an injunction against a continuing violation under Section 108.1-3-2(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can construction crews start work on a Saturday in Fairfax County?
Is there a decibel limit on daytime construction noise?
Can a contractor get permission to work outside these hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
Compare Fairfax County to another location·View the Virginia noise ordinances overview
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