Revised Noise Ordinance Includes Some Policy Changes In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A revised noise ordinance for the City of Alexandria took effect in 2022 after City Council approval in December.

According to a news release from the city, the revision sought to make the ordinance "legally enforceable and more protective of residential areas, while allowing reasonable vibrancy in the business corridors during business hours." City Council had received public feedback and reviewed noise regulations in neighboring localities before adopting the revised ordinance at a December public hearing.

First, the ordinance updates the definitions of commercial, industrial and residential areas. A commercial area is defined as "any property used for the sale of goods or services, such as dining establishments, motor vehicle services, warehouse and distribution facilities, retail services, banks, office buildings, multi-purpose buildings that house more than one occupation, commercial condominiums for retail or wholesale use, non-public recreation facilities, entertainment facilities, hotels, and motels."

A residential area is defined as "any single- or multiple-unit structure, such as a house, townhouse, duplex, condominium, mobile home, or apartment, that is used primarily for residential purposes, but shall not include any hotel and motel."

The revised ordinance sets a more restrictive plainly audible standard in residential areas. The ordinance states that sound "plainly audible in any other person’s residential dwelling with the doors and windows closed" is unlawful between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. In addition, the ordinance prohibits outdoor loading or unloading of trucks within 500 feet of a residential dwelling between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

For construction activities, do-it-yourself construction activities are permitted from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

The permissible noise limits at property lines depend on the property use category of the noise source. The maximum sound level for residential is 55 dB(A). The commercial noise limit is increased to 65 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. but remains 60 dB(A) from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

There are exemptions in the noise ordinance, such as noises of warning devices, emergency vehicles, emergency work, and more.

If a violation occurs, the property owner may be given a violation. The ordinance does not restrict the city from seeking voluntary compliance with a warning. The civil penalty for a noise violation is increased from $50 to $100 for a first violation and from $100 to $250 for a second violation within seven days of the first violation. A third violation within 14 days of the first violation continues to have a $500 fine.

The city's Department of Transportation and Environmental Services Office of Environmental Quality handles noise complaints during business hours at 703-746-4065. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. The Alexandria Police Department responds to noise complaints outside business hours and on weekends and holidays at 703-746-4444. The city also accepts complaints on the Alex 311 system.

For more information about the noise ordinance, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Noise.