Vienna council rejects proposed limits on contractor landscaping after heated public hearing

The Vienna Town Council on Dec. 8 declined to move forward with proposed amendments to chapter 10-20.1 of the town code that would have extended the town's existing Sunday restriction on for-hire noisy work to federal holidays and prohibited the use of two or more powered landscaping machines on a residential lot before 8:00 a.m.

Police Chief Eric presented the ordinance at a public hearing, explaining the two changes: adding federal holidays to the existing contractor ban now in code for Sundays, and changing the start time for "multiple equipment use" (defined in the draft as two or more gas-powered or electric landscaping machines on one residential lot) from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

About a dozen members of the public and several local landscaping businesses spoke during the hearing. Penny Ozak read a letter urging the council to reconsider the one-machine restriction, arguing it "disproportionately targets the landscape industry" and could lengthen noisy workdays, reduce crew efficiency, and raise costs for homeowners. Tim of Prestige Lawn and Landscape and Jenny Wheat Kiefaber of Wheat's Landscaping said the proposed restriction would slow crews, push work later into peak traffic periods, and could increase costs for residents.

By contrast, residents pressing for stricter rules argued that gas-powered leaf blowers and other equipment have made parts of Vienna persistently noisy. Bill Mims told the council that "gas powered leaf blowers are a health hazard in multiple ways" and cited examples of municipalities that restrict or ban leaf blowers. Avril Garland and Leah Giovannello urged more aggressive limits and pointed to quieter electric alternatives and local examples where stricter rules were enforced with compliance.

Council debate focused on three recurring themes: whether the draft unfairly singled out landscaping companies while leaving other noise sources untouched; the scientific basis and measurement of decibels (multiple speakers discussed logarithmic decibel scales); and enforceability—how police would verify violations once a crew had left. Town Attorney noted the ordinance is a misdemeanor offense under chapter 10, and police typically ask noncompliant crews to stop; officers issue citations only if the conduct continues in their presence.

Council member Anderson moved to approve the proposed amendments for advertisement and subsequent adoption at a January meeting. That motion received a single "aye" and failed on a roll-call vote (Anderson aye; six nays), so the council did not adopt the changes that night. Mayor Colbert said the proposal will be revisited in the future.

The vote leaves the town's existing Sunday restriction in place; other elements of the draft—definitions and any future decibel standards—may be reconsidered after further study or revised drafting.

What happens next: Council members suggested additional study, including possible technical review of decibel standards and consideration of broader noise sources, before bringing a revised ordinance back for another hearing.

Sources: Public hearing testimony and council remarks at the Dec. 8, 2025 Vienna Town Council meeting. Quotes are from public commenters and council members as recorded in the meeting transcript.