Hampton, VA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Limit
- 60 dBA on neighboring property
- Zones covered
- DT-1, DT-2, DT-3 downtown
- Measured with
- ANSI "A"-weighted meter
- Enforced by
- Police & codes compliance dept.
Summary
In Hampton's DT-1, DT-2, and DT-3 downtown zoning districts, amplified music or an outdoor band cannot exceed 60 dBA measured on a neighboring property, enforced by police and codes compliance.
It shall be unlawful in the downtown areas zoned DT-1, DT-2, or DT-3 for any person, including the owner or manager on duty of any establishment or promoter of any event, to produce or allow to be produced a sound or noise from amplified music or an outdoor band which exceeds a noise level measurement of sixty (60) dBA upon the real property of another. Such noise is hereby prohibited and declared to be loud, disturbing and unlawful noise in violation of this section. This section shall be enforced by the police department and/or the codes compliance department. Sound level measurements shall be admissible evidence of any alleged unlawful noise if made with a sound level meter using the "A" weighing scale in accordance with the American National Standard Institute.
(Ord. No. 1199, 9-24-97; Ord. No. 1449, 12-14-06; Ord. No. 10-0023, 9-8-10; Ord. No. 15-0010, 3-25-15)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Hampton City Code § 22-3.1 sets the only numeric decibel ceiling in the city's noise ordinance: amplified music or an outdoor band in the DT-1, DT-2, or DT-3 downtown zoning districts may not exceed 60 dBA measured on someone else's real property. The rule reaches business owners, on-duty managers, and event promoters alike. Police officers and the codes compliance department both enforce it, and readings from an ANSI A-weighted sound level meter are admissible as evidence of a violation. Outside these three downtown districts, the city instead relies on the distance-and-time plainly audible standard in § 22-9.
Violations & Fines
Producing or allowing amplified music or an outdoor band to exceed 60 dBA on another's property within the DT-1, DT-2, or DT-3 downtown zoning districts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an actual decibel number in Hampton's noise law?
Does the 60 dBA cap apply citywide?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
Compare Hampton to another location·View the Virginia noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.