Prince William County, VA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Prince William County, VA, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Daytime hours
- 7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays
- Residential day/night limit
- 60 / 55 dBA
- Human-noise night ban
- 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
- Code chapter
- PWC Code Ch. 14
- First-offense penalty
- Class 4 misdemeanor
Summary
Prince William County Code Ch. 14 sets nighttime (10 p.m.-6 a.m. for people) rules and decibel caps. Under the re-enacted ordinance (eff. May 1, 2026), residential zones are limited to 60 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime. Daytime is 7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays.
Talking, yelling, shouting, screaming, singing, or any other form of human sounds produced by any person or group of people between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be audible across property boundaries.
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
The county's noise ordinance (Ch. 14, re-enacted by Ord. No. 25-62 effective May 1, 2026 after the 2009 Virginia Supreme Court Tanner ruling struck the old 'plainly audible' standard) uses measured decibel limits rather than a blanket curfew. 'Daytime' is 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays; 'nighttime' is all other hours. Residential-zone limits are 60 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime, measured at the property boundary. Human shouting, yelling or singing audible across property lines is separately prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Violations & Fines
A first violation is a Class 4 misdemeanor; a repeat within 365 days is a Class 3 misdemeanor. In lieu of criminal charges, a civil penalty up to $250 (first) or $500 (second) may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Prince William County have set quiet hours?
When did the current noise ordinance take effect?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince William County
How Prince William County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Prince William County to another location·View the Virginia noise ordinances overview
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