Virginia Beach, VA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

The Virginia Beach City Code does not single out leaf blowers for special regulation the way some Virginia jurisdictions (such as Arlington County) have done. Instead, leaf blowers fall under the general noise provisions of Chapter 23 of the City Code, which prohibit unreasonably loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noise that disturbs the peace, quiet, and comfort of neighboring residents. There is no citywide ban on gas-powered blowers, no decibel cap applied specifically to blowers, and no time-of-day ordinance limited to leaf blower use. In practical terms, homeowners and landscape crews may operate leaf blowers during normal daytime working hours in residential areas. Operating a leaf blower late at night, very early in the morning, or in a manner that is plainly disturbing to neighbors can still draw a warning or citation under the general noise ordinance, especially in the Nighttime Hours (10 p.m. to 7 a.m. in residential districts). HOAs in master-planned communities like Red Mill Farm, Lago Mar, and Thalia may impose their own restrictions on landscaping equipment, and enforcement of those rules is handled privately through the association. Residents who are bothered by persistent leaf blower noise can report complaints to Virginia Beach 311 or the non-emergency police line at (757) 385-5000.