Virginia Civil Penalty Cap on Local Noise Ordinances

Va. Code Section 15.2-980 authorizes localities to enforce noise ordinances by civil penalty but caps the amounts: not more than $250 for a first violation and not more than $500 for any subsequent violation. The statute requires that designations of violations as civil offenses, rather than criminal, must be uniform and that no person may be imprisoned for the civil penalty. Noise violations in the same 12-month period count as subsequent. This cap binds every Virginia city, county, and town that elects civil enforcement and overrides any local fine schedule that exceeds it. Localities retain discretion to use criminal misdemeanor enforcement under Va. Code 15.2-1429 instead.

Maximum $250 first offense, $500 each subsequent offense under civil enforcement framework.