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

Chapter 648 of the Loudoun County Codified Ordinances defines "nuisance" to expressly include "rodent or insect infestation" and "maintaining a property in such a manner that it creates conditions conducive to rodent harborage and is an annoyance or potential health hazard to neighbors" (§ 648.03(g)(4), (8)). The same definition sweeps in mosquito or other vector breeding from standing water and accumulations of bees, wasps or other venomous pests (§ 648.03(g)(3), (5)). Under § 648.04, no person may "cause, harbor, commit or maintain" any such nuisance anywhere in the County.

The County Administrator and the Director of Public Health are authorized under § 648.05 to inspect occupied or vacant land at reasonable daylight hours to check for these conditions, and may seek an administrative search warrant if the owner refuses access. If an inspection finds a rodent or vector nuisance, § 648.07 requires written notice giving the owner up to ten days to remedy it, or immediate compliance if the notice states the condition is an imminent hazard to health or safety. An owner who disagrees can request a hearing before the County Administrator within ten days of the notice.

If the owner still fails to comply, § 648.08 lets the County send its own crew to abate the rodent condition and charge the cost to the owner, with unpaid charges becoming a lien recorded against the property in the Circuit Court's judgment lien docket.