Commercial establishments in the City of Fairfax must keep HVAC, loading, trash compaction, and amplified sound within limits set by Chapter 62 and the zoning ordinance. Mixed-use buildings near Old Town and University Drive are subject to stricter nighttime standards to protect adjacent residential uses.
Commercial noise in the City of Fairfax is regulated both through the general noise ordinance in Chapter 62 and through performance standards in the city zoning ordinance, which sits under the Dillon Rule grant in Virginia Code Title 15.2 Chapter 22. Businesses must ensure that HVAC equipment, refrigeration compressors, loading dock activity, trash pickup, and amplified sound do not cause sound plainly audible inside nearby residences during quiet hours, generally 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Trash collection at commercial sites adjacent to residential zones is typically limited to 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Outdoor dining, live music, and patio speakers require review at the special use permit stage and may include hour restrictions tied to the specific property. Old Town Fairfax, with its proximity of bars and restaurants to single-family homes, sees the most commercial noise complaints, and the city has used permit conditions to require speaker placement indoors and sound-attenuating fences around patios. Violations start with a written warning and escalate to civil penalties, then to zoning enforcement action that can threaten a use permit.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Fairfax, VA
City of Fairfax prohibits using RVs or campers for habitation on public streets. VA Code §46.2-1222.1 authorizes Fairfax City to regulate or prohibit parking...
Fairfax, VA
Commercial vehicles in the City of Fairfax are restricted from overnight parking on residential streets and in residential zoning districts. Vehicles over 12...
Fairfax, VA
On-street parking in the City of Fairfax is generally permitted in residential areas unless posted. Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, on sidewalks, b...
Fairfax, VA
Fences at or under 7 feet in the City of Fairfax typically do not require a building permit but still must comply with zoning setbacks, height limits, and si...
Fairfax, VA
The City of Fairfax zoning ordinance prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences in residential zones. Chain link is allowed in most zones but ...
Fairfax, VA
Livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, swine, and horses are generally prohibited in residential zones of the City of Fairfax. The zoning ordinance treats l...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fairfax County.
See how other cities in Fairfax County handle industrial noise.
See how Fairfax's industrial noise rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.