Virginia Statewide Rule

Virginia Civil Penalty Cap on Local Noise Ordinances

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Virginia (2026)

Key Facts

First offense cap: $250 maximum
Repeat offense cap: $500 maximum
Statute: Va. Code § 15.2-980
Industrial property: Excluded from civil-penalty cap

Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: Virginia Legislative Information System

Summary

Virginia Code § 15.2-980 lets localities adopt civil penalties for noise-ordinance violations, capped at $250 for a first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense. The civil-penalty scheme does not apply to noise from a business on industrial property, or to railroads.

§ 15.2-980 . Civil penalties for violations of noise ordinances. Any locality may, by ordinance, adopt a uniform schedule of civil penalties for violations of that locality's noise ordinance. This provision shall not apply to noise generated in connection with the business being performed on industrial property. Civil fines will not exceed $250 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense. The locality may authorize the chief law-enforcement officer to enforce any civil penalties adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to railroads. No ordinance of any locality shall apply to sound emanating from any area permitted by the Virginia Department of Energy or any division thereof. 2010, cc. 501 , 788 ; 2017, c. 649 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 532 . The chapters of the acts of assembly referenced in the historical citation at the end of this section may not constitute a comprehensive list of such chapters and may exclude chapters whose provisions have expired. Virginia Law Library The Code of Virginia, Constitution of Virginia, Charters, Authorities, Compacts and Uncodified Acts are available in both PDF and CSV formats. Helpful Resources Virginia Code Commission Virginia Register of Regulations U.S. Constitution For Developers The Virginia Law website data is available via a web service.

Source: Virginia Legislative Information SystemView official code

Full Breakdown

Va. Code § 15.2-980 authorizes localities to enforce noise ordinances by civil penalty but caps the amounts at no more than $250 for a first violation and $500 for any subsequent violation, with no imprisonment for a civil penalty. Critically, this civil-penalty framework does not apply to noise generated in connection with a business performed on industrial property, to railroads, or to sound from areas permitted by the Virginia Department of Energy. Localities may instead pursue those and other noise violations through criminal misdemeanor enforcement under Va. Code § 15.2-1429.

Violations & Penalties

Maximum $250 for a first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense under the civil framework; noise from a business on industrial property is excluded and is enforced by other means.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Virginia city fine $1,000 for a noise ordinance violation?

Not under the civil-penalty scheme. Code § 15.2-980 caps civil noise fines at $250 first offense and $500 repeat. Higher penalties require criminal misdemeanor prosecution.

Does the civil-penalty cap apply to industrial noise?

No. Code § 15.2-980 expressly excludes noise generated in connection with a business performed on industrial property, as well as railroads. Localities address industrial noise through other enforcement, such as criminal misdemeanor ordinances.

Sources

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