Virginia Civil Penalty Cap on Local Noise Ordinances

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.

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.