Loudoun County prohibits sound audible inside another person's residential dwelling with doors and windows closed under Codified Ordinance Chapter 654.02. Amplified music and voice are specifically referenced in the zoning noise standards (Section 5-1507). Special event permits may authorize amplified sound for festivals and community events. Fines range from $500 to $2,500.
Outdoor amplified music in Loudoun County is regulated under two overlapping frameworks. The county noise ordinance (Codified Ordinance Chapter 654.02) prohibits creating sound that is audible and discernible inside another person's residential dwelling with doors and windows closed. The zoning ordinance noise standards (Section 5-1507) specifically list amplified music or voice as regulated sounds and impose maximum A-weighted decibel limits measured at the property line of the receiving use. Residential receiving properties have a 55 dBA limit. Special event permits through the Loudoun County Office of Emergency Management, Safety and Security may authorize amplified sound for specific events with conditions on hours, volume, and sound direction. Wineries and breweries — numerous in western Loudoun — have been a particular source of outdoor music complaints, leading to enhanced enforcement. HOA communities in Ashburn often have additional restrictions on outdoor gatherings with amplified sound, particularly regarding late-night events. County-approved events, parades, and fireworks displays are exempt from the noise ordinance.
First offense: Class 3 misdemeanor, up to $500 fine. Repeat offenses: Class 1 misdemeanor, up to $2,500 fine and/or 12 months jail. Loudoun County Sheriff's Office enforces.
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