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Board directs staff to advertise draft noise ordinance for April public hearing
Summary
After months of complaints and a Virginia Supreme Court decision requiring measurable standards, the board reviewed a draft noise ordinance that uses a 50-foot distance test and other measurable criteria; supervisors directed staff to place the draft on the April public hearing agenda and to circulate it to sheriff and commonwealth attorney for review.
County attorneys and supervisors discussed a draft noise ordinance Feb. 3 that adopts a measurable standard (distance from the noise source) following a Virginia Supreme Court decision that found earlier, vague language unconstitutional. The draft relies on a 50-foot test and establishes enforceable criteria such as a 10-consecutive-minute standard for continuous animal noise and exemptions for certain lawful activities.
'We went to localities that have had success in enforcing,' the county attorney explained, and 'we had 2 options, and we're using distance to measure whether the sound is a nuisance or not...we've said, like, 50 feet from the source.' Board members debated enforcement logistics, whether deputies should use decibel meters or body-cam/video testimony, and practical exemptions (sports fields, agricultural activities, lawful discharge of firearms). After discussion the board directed staff by consensus to advertise the draft ordinance for a public hearing in April and to circulate the draft to the sheriff, the commonwealth attorney and codes enforcement for review prior to the hearing.
Supervisors noted rural enforcement challenges and asked staff to collect data on past complaints and potential equipment costs before considering purchase of sound meters.
