Quiet hours in Vienna, VA — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
The Town of Vienna restricts unreasonably loud, disturbing, or unnecessary noise at all hours under Chapter 13 of the Town Code, with enhanced nighttime restrictions from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM on weekdays and 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM on weekends. Residential quiet hours prohibit any noise audible at the property line that disturbs a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities.
Vienna Town Code Chapter 13 (Noise) regulates noise as a nuisance under authority granted by VA Code 15.2-926. The ordinance establishes general quiet hours of 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM Friday and Saturday. During these hours, any noise plainly audible at the property line of the source, or at a distance of 50 feet in public spaces, is presumed to violate the ordinance. Daytime noise must still not rise to the level of a nuisance. Enforcement is handled by the Vienna Police Department and Town Code Enforcement. First offenses are typically handled with a warning; subsequent offenses are Class 3 or Class 4 misdemeanors carrying fines up to 500 dollars. Because Virginia is a Dillon's Rule state, Vienna cannot impose decibel-based limits beyond what the General Assembly authorizes, so the Town relies on the plainly-audible standard upheld in Virginia courts. Residents are encouraged to contact neighbors first before filing complaints. Repeated violations at the same address may result in escalated fines and, for rental properties, notification to landlords.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fairfax County.
See how other cities in Fairfax County handle quiet hours.
See how Vienna's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
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