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Town attorney to draft ordinance limiting multiple powered lawn machines during a morning respite hour
Summary
Deputy Janicki and the town attorney outlined a proposed amendment to the town noise code to restrict use of more than one powered landscaping machine on a single residential property during the early‑morning respite hour (proposed 7–8 a.m.), and to treat electric and gas equipment the same for noise purposes. Council asked staff to prepare consistent language and recommended a public hearing to collect landscaper and resident input.
Town staff told the council at the Oct. 20 work session that proposed amendments to Vienna’s noise ordinance (section 10‑20.1) would establish a one‑hour respite during weekday mornings and prohibit more than one powered landscaping device (gas or battery/electric) operating simultaneously on the same residential property during that hour.
Deputy Janicki explained the changes originate from a directive to the town attorney earlier in the year and that the primary policy goal is to give residents a predictable, objective early‑morning respite from high combined noise levels produced when multiple crews or machines operate concurrently on a single lot. The draft language focuses on the operational effect (multiple machines creating exponential decibel increases), rather than singling out a specific type such as leaf blowers, and it includes both gasoline and battery‑operated equipment.
Town Attorney Steve described the proposed scope: it would apply in residential zones between the proposed morning hour and existing evening limits; it would exempt larger institutional or recreational properties that require multiple machines. He noted Virginia’s current legislative environment limits local authority to ban classes of equipment outright, so the town is tailoring the change to time and multiplicity of devices to avoid predictable legal challenges.
Councilmembers discussed alternatives: extending the ban to federal holidays, exempting commercial construction activity, and asking for a public hearing so landscapers and impacted businesses can be heard. Several members urged caution about enforcement and asked staff to prepare clear, consistent language for the council to advertise. The town attorney said a public hearing is not statutorily required for this code section but the council may choose to hold one; several councilmembers recommended scheduling a hearing to gather community input.
Council gave staff direction to draft an ordinance consistent with the council’s guidance and return language for advertisement and a potential public hearing date. No final ordinance vote occurred at the work session.
