Leesburg council directs staff to draft decibel-based rules for outdoor amplified music; seeks permit system and enforcement framework

Town staff and the Leesburg Police Department asked the council to direct them to draft ordinance changes to address enforcement challenges with outdoor amplified music in the historic downtown. The presentation and discussion on Jan. 27 focused on moving from a subjective “plainly audible/50-foot” test to an objective, decibel-based measurement and creating a permit system for establishments that host amplified outdoor music.

Staff said the existing plainly audible rule is subjective and varies with weather, buildings and site configuration, complicating enforcement. The town’s proposal links permission for outdoor amplified music to an annual permit: businesses that host amplified sound would apply for a permit, agree to the town’s measurement methodology, and be accountable as the permit holder. Captain Smith of the Leesburg Police Department supported a permit approach as “an accountability type thing,” saying it helps identify who the town would cite and provides an educational component for rules and times.

Staff proposed measuring sound at a point in the public right of way closest to the source—so officers would not be expected to step onto private property—and using a decibel threshold. As an initial reference, staff offered a draft threshold of 75 dB (not a final recommendation) and noted other jurisdictions vary: Arlington County uses 65–70 dB for continuous amplified sound and higher limits for special events; Alexandria uses a 75‑dB standard in comparable contexts. Staff proposed a phased enforcement model with escalating fines (examples cited: $250 first offense, $500 subsequent) and permit revocation after repeated violations.

Council members asked for further technical work to compare decibel thresholds and how to measure in downtown conditions, including how low-frequency bass carries farther than high-frequency sounds. Staff said they would prepare a draft ordinance, bake in an administrative appeal, and schedule a public hearing; the council agreed to direct staff to proceed and target a March return for draft ordinance and public-hearing scheduling.

The council’s direction is to draft rules creating an annual amplified-music permit for commercial operations, define a point-source decibel measurement from the public right of way, include a tiered enforcement schedule with potential permit revocation after repeated violations, and add an appeal process. Staff will prepare the ordinance language, conduct further research on decibel comparators, and schedule a public hearing.