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Prince William County, VA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Residential day/night
60 / 55 dBA
Commercial / Office
65 / 60 dBA
Industrial day/night
79 / 72 dBA
Steady tonal (residential)
73 / 68 dB(C)
Code section
PWC Code § 14-4

Summary

Under the re-enacted Prince William County Code § 14-4 (eff. May 1, 2026), maximum sound levels measured at the property line are: Residential and Mixed Use 60 dBA day / 55 night, Commercial and Office 65 / 60, and Industrial 79 / 72 (dBA, Leq).

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Prince William County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

TABLE 1 - MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVELS (Leq): Residential 60 dBA Daytime / 55 Nighttime; Mixed Use District 60 / 55; Commercial 65 / 60; Office 65 / 60; Industrial 79 / 72.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 46 Update 4).

Full Breakdown

Section 14-4 Table 1 sets maximum permissible equivalent continuous sound levels (Leq) by the zoning district where the measurement is taken: Residential 60 dBA daytime / 55 nighttime; Mixed Use District 60 / 55; Commercial 65 / 60; Office 65 / 60; Industrial 79 / 72. Where a source crosses zones, the most restrictive limit applies. 'Daytime' is 7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays (9 a.m. on weekends/holidays); nighttime is all other hours. A separate steady-tonal-sound limit for residential zones is 73 dB(C) daytime and 68 dB(C) nighttime. Air conditioners, heat pumps and radon systems are exempt from nighttime limits.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the limits is a Class 4 misdemeanor (first offense) or Class 3 within 365 days; a civil penalty up to $250/$500 may be imposed instead, except for industrial or railroad business noise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the residential noise limit in Prince William County?
Sixty dBA during the day (7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays) and 55 dBA at night, measured at the property boundary, under the re-enacted § 14-4 effective May 1, 2026.
Is the limit based on the source or the receiving property?
The limit is set by the zoning district where the measurement is taken. Where a source spans two zones, the most restrictive classification's limit applies.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Prince William County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsQuiet HoursSome RestrictionsConstruction HoursSome RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsVehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsLeaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsAircraft NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome Restrictions

All Prince William County rules

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