Prince William County Police Department

Officers responding to noise complaints in neighborhoods will confirm the noise is in violation and attempt to identify the owner or lessee of the property. Absent an owner or lessee, the officer will identify the responsible party creating the disturbance. Typically, a verbal warning for compliance is requested on the first complaint.

A subsequent complaint will confirm the violation is continuing. A summons may be issued to the responsible party. If the responsible party agrees to end the gathering and all participants leave, the responsible party will be released on a summons. Officers will standby under the gathering is dispersed. Any participant refusing to comply may be charged with a violation of trespassing or loitering.

If the responsible party refuses to end the gathering, they may be physically arrested and transported to the magistrate's office.

Additional violations may be charged depending on the situation.

Note: The complainant of the noise violation may be needed as a witness for any court proceedings. 

Commercial establishments, particularly those in the entertainment business, should be aware of the appropriate noise level allowed under the law and adhere to the requirements. Therefore, the first complaint involving a commercial establishment may not result in a warning and, absent extenuating circumstances, charges may be placed.

All other provisions noted in Residential Complaints above also apply to commercial noise complaints.

Virginia law requires owners and drivers to operate their vehicles with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual levels of noise. State law regarding loud or altered exhaust is a primary offense, enforceable by police. All traffic laws are enforced by the police department as time and staffing permits. While no preference is given to one law over the other, the police department recognizes loud or altered exhausts may pose a nuisance to our community. The police department’s primary goal for traffic enforcement is focused on those violations that impact the safety of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians traversing county roadways. Most traffic violations must be witnessed by police and determined to be a violation in order to be enforced. If the exhaust system is found to be in violation, the officer has the discretion to cite the driver; however, it should be noted that this does not immediately remedy the noise issue and would be incumbent upon the driver or vehicle owner to make their vehicle compliant and/or potentially pay a fine. The police department is unable to take further action, beyond the issuance of a court summons, for this violation. 

Specifically, state code calls for exhaust systems to be 1) in good working order, 2) in constant operation to prevent "excessive or unusual levels" of noise, and 3) be a type installed by the factory or of comparable design. Officers are directed to rely on their training and experience to determine if the exhaust system is in good working order. The "excessive or unusual noise" level, from a reasonable standard and perspective, is one of the factors that would be weighed and considered as to whether a vehicle is stopped and/or driver cited. Most vehicle exhaust systems installed by the factory do not emit "excessive or unusual noise", therefore any aftermarket or dealer-applied system should be comparable in nature if installed on the vehicle. Factory systems are those installed by the vehicle manufacturer, not a dealership or mechanic.

Chapter 14-5 of the County Code further identifies additional prohibitions including permissible sound levels emitted by a motor vehicle or motorcycle that do not exceed a certain decibel when measured at a distance of 50 feet or more.