Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Noise Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middlesex supervisors direct staff to advertise distance-based noise ordinance for April hearing
Summary
After extended discussion about enforceability and recent complaints, the board directed staff to send a draft distance-based noise ordinance — using 50 feet as a measurable standard instead of decibel meters — to public hearing in April and to route it to sheriff and codes enforcement for review.
The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors directed staff on Feb. 3 to advertise a draft noise ordinance for public hearing at the board’s April meeting after a lengthy discussion about enforcement, fairness and legal risk.
Supervisor Randy (speaker reference) opened the new-business discussion by saying the county’s existing ordinance had been called into question following a Virginia Beach case. County Attorney (speaker 10) told the board the Virginia Supreme Court required more measurable standards than the previous 'reasonable person' language, and presented two options: measure sound levels with decibel meters (requiring equipment, calibration and officer training) or use a distance-based standard. The draft before the board relies on distance and plain-audibility thresholds to create a measurable enforcement tool.
County Attorney summarized the approach and the enforcement rationale: "So if the deputy pulls up and he can hear the music and he's 4 houses down, that's a problem," he said, explaining the draft sets a 50-foot threshold in multiple provision examples and includes a 10-consecutive-minute standard for persistent noises such as barking dogs. The draft excludes agricultural activities and lawful firearm discharge, and contains exemptions for organized sports and other specified public events.
Sheriff-level enforcement and logistics were discussed: the sheriff reportedly supports a workable ordinance in principle but noted complications around decibel meters (cost, calibration and certification) and favored practical tools such as distance checks, corroborating body-camera footage and deputy testimony. Board members flagged enforcement challenges in rural areas (noise from vehicles or activities across county lines) but agreed a distance-based rule would give deputies a clearer tool than prior vague language.
Board action and next steps: The board reached a consensus to place the draft on the public hearing agenda for April, and County Attorney was directed to send the draft to the sheriff, the commonwealth attorney and codes enforcement for review and recommended edits before the hearing.
Why it matters: The ordinance would change how deputies and codes staff evaluate noise complaints, substituting a measurable standard intended to survive legal scrutiny while balancing enforcement practicality in rural settings. The planned public hearing will allow residents and stakeholders — including campground operators, rural residents and those affected by recurring loud vehicle or neighbor noise — to comment before any adoption vote.
