Fairfax County, VA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime limit
- 72 dBA (7 a.m.-10 p.m.)
- Nighttime limit
- 65 dBA (10 p.m.-7 a.m.)
- Measured at
- property boundary
- Enforced by
- Dept. of Planning and Development
Summary
Fairfax County caps sound from industrial-district sources at 72 dBA by day and 65 dBA at night, measured at the property boundary.
(a)Unless otherwise addressed by this Chapter, no person shall permit, operate, or cause any source of sound or sound generation to create a sound which exceeds the limits set forth in the following table titled "Maximum Sound Levels" when measured at the property boundary of the sound source... Use and Zoning District Classification / Time of Day / Continuous Sound (dBA) / Impulse Sound (dB): Industrial Districts 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 72 120; Industrial Districts 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. 65 100
Full Breakdown
Under the county's Noise Ordinance, no one may operate a sound source that exceeds the Maximum Sound Levels table when measured at the property boundary or on an affected property. Industrial Districts are capped at 72 dBA continuous / 120 dB impulse from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., dropping to 65 dBA continuous / 100 dB impulse from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Enforcement is by the Director of Planning and Development, the Zoning Administrator, Code Compliance, and Police.
Violations & Fines
Class 2 misdemeanor, up to 6 months jail and a $1,000 fine, or a civil penalty of $250 (first) / $500 (repeat) for non-industrial violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can an industrial site be in Fairfax County?
Does the noise civil penalty apply to industrial sites?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
Compare Fairfax County to another location·View the Virginia noise ordinances overview
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