Middlesex Board rescinds April noise ordinance after residents raise concerns

The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors voted on May 5 to rescind the noise ordinance adopted April 7, 2026, following a half-hour of public comment and board discussion about the law’s effect on rural life and small businesses.

Residents including Michael Shreves of Saluda and Wandra Thornton urged the Board to reconsider the ordinance, saying animal and hunting-dog noise and the lack of broad public outreach had harmed daily life and warranted further review. Supervisor Randy Crittenden — who proposed either rescinding the ordinance and holding a public hearing on June 2 or amending it — said, “I have heard the complaints and want to serve the public appropriately.”

County Attorney Heather W. Lewis told the Board that formal rescission must be adopted by a separate ordinance and publicly noticed; she noted that if the April 7 ordinance is rescinded, there would temporarily be no county noise ordinance because the prior 2004 ordinance had already been repealed. The Board discussed a possible interim enforcement approach focused on education and reserving enforcement for egregious cases.

On the motion to rescind, Supervisor Bill Harris made the motion (seconded by Supervisor Reginald A. Williams, Sr.). The roll-call vote was 4–1, with Supervisor Randy Crittenden recorded as the lone dissent. Board members discussed forming a stakeholder committee to guide future noise policy and invited citizens to apply for committee seats.

The Board directed staff to pursue public outreach in advance of the scheduled public hearing and to present options at the June 2 meeting.