Arlington County, VA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Motorcycles
- 80 dBA under 35 mph, 84 dBA above
- Vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVW
- 70 dBA / 79 dBA
- Vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW
- 86 dBA / 90 dBA
- Measurement distance
- At least 50 feet from vehicle
- Horn use
- Barred except emergency warning
- Commercial engine idling
- Capped at 10 minutes
Summary
Table II of Arlington County's Noise Control Ordinance caps motor-vehicle noise by class and speed: motorcycles at 80/84 dBA, vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVW at 70/79 dBA, and heavier vehicles at 86/90 dBA, measured 50 feet away. Horn use and commercial engine idling past 10 minutes are separately barred.
TABLE II MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE FROM MOTOR VEHICLES. Class of Source Vehicle: Up to 35 miles per hour / 35 miles per hour & above. Motorcycle 80 dBA / 84 dBA. Total GVW < 10,000 lbs. 70 dBA / 79 dBA. Total GVW > 10,000 lbs. 86 dBA / 90 dBA.
Full Breakdown
" The table sets two speed tiers: under 35 miles per hour and 35 miles per hour and above. Motorcycles, defined by cross-reference to Va. 2-100 to include scooters, minibikes and mopeds, are capped at 80 dBA below 35 mph and 84 dBA at or above it; vehicles with a gross vehicle weight under 10,000 pounds are capped at 70 dBA and 79 dBA; heavier vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW are capped at 86 dBA and 90 dBA. 2 requires these readings to be taken from a distance of at least 50 feet from the vehicle.
I bars running a commercial motor vehicle's propulsion engine for more than 10 minutes while the vehicle is parked, left unattended, or stopped for other than traffic or maintenance reasons, unless the engine is providing auxiliary service other than heating or air conditioning. Enforcement runs through the County Manager under § 15-4.
Violations & Fines
A vehicle exceeding its Table II class limit, an unnecessary horn under § 15-6.C, or idling a commercial engine past 10 minutes under § 15-6.I can be charged as a misdemeanor under § 15-9, punishable by $100 to $2,500 and up to 30 days in jail, or cited civilly under § 15-10 for $250 on a first offense and $500 on each repeat, with every hour unabated a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arlington County's decibel limit for cars and trucks?
Can I honk my horn for a non-emergency reason in Arlington County?
How long can a delivery truck idle its engine in Arlington County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington County
Compare Arlington County to another location·View the Virginia noise ordinances overview
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