Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Arlington County

Arlington County, VA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Core duty
Keep property free of trash/debris harboring vermin
Who is liable
Owner and occupant, jointly (§ 10-14)
First violation penalty
$100 civil penalty after warning
Repeat violation penalty
$150 each, $3,000 cap
Appeal route
General District Court within 30 days

Summary

Arlington County Code § 10-14 makes it the joint duty of every property owner and occupant to keep the parcel free of trash, garbage, refuse, litter, and debris that might endanger residents' health or safety, a standard § 10-12 says covers conditions that "harbor vermin."

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Arlington County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

It shall be the joint and several duty of the property owner and the occupant of each parcel of property in the County to keep such property free from all trash, garbage, refuse, litter, debris, or other substances which might endanger the health or safety of other residents of the County.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Chapter 10, Article II ("Condition of Private Property") sets the county's routine vermin-prevention rule through its trash and debris duty rather than a standalone rodent ordinance. " Section 10-14 then imposes the operative duty: the property owner and the occupant are jointly and severally responsible for keeping the parcel free from trash, garbage, refuse, litter, debris, or other substances that might endanger residents' health or safety, which reaches conditions that attract or harbor rats and other vermin. The County Manager enforces this alongside the related duties in §§ 10-13 (cutting hazardous grass, weeds, and overgrown lawns) and 10-15 (clearing obstructing vegetation); a violation notice under § 10-16 starts the clock, and § 10-17 lets the County Manager enter and correct the violation at the owner's expense if the notice is ignored, with a right to appeal a violation notice to the County Manager within five working days under § 10-18. 2, which can trigger the more severe blight process rather than the routine civil penalty described below.

Violations & Fines

Section 10-20 sets civil penalties for a § 10-14 violation: $100 for a first violation, imposed only after a warning giving the owner, lessee, tenant, or agent a specified time to comply, then $150 for each subsequent violation. No one can be cited more than once in any 10-day period, and total penalties for the same set of facts cap at $3,000. Citations are issued by the County Manager or a designee, and a cited person has 30 days to pay the Treasurer or appeal to the Arlington County General District Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Arlington County have a rodent control ordinance?
Not a standalone rodent ordinance. Instead, § 10-14 of the County Code requires every property owner and occupant to keep the parcel free of trash, garbage, refuse, litter, and debris that might endanger health or safety, a standard § 10-12 explicitly defines to include conditions that "harbor vermin."
Who is responsible for vermin-attracting conditions on a rental?
Section 10-14 makes it the joint and several duty of both the property owner and the occupant, so either or both can be cited if trash, garbage, or debris on the parcel creates conditions that endanger residents' health or safety, including by harboring vermin.
What's the fine for violating the trash and debris duty?
Section 10-20 sets a $100 civil penalty for a first violation, issued only after a warning, and $150 for each later violation, with no more than one citation per 10-day period and a $3,000 cap for violations arising from the same facts.
Can rodent infestation lead to a blight declaration?
Yes. Section 29-12.B.2 lists "rat and rodent infestation" as one factor the County may consider when determining whether a property is blighted, which can trigger Chapter 29's separate, more severe blight-abatement process instead of, or alongside, a § 10-14 civil citation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Arlington County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsFood Handler CertificationSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: MicrochippingLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue PermitsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesSome Restrictions

All Arlington County rules

Compare Arlington County to another location·View the Virginia public health rules overview

Get notified when Rodent Control in Arlington County, VA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.