Richmond wants you to pay for being loud
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Richmond City Council wants to make sure you're getting fined for making too much noise.
Why it matters: It's taken years for the city to figure out how to enforce violations.
Driving the news: On Monday night, City Council voted to amend the sound ordinance in three main ways.
- Outlining that residents can only report alleged violations by verbally telling an officer or calling the non-emergency line at 804-646-5100.
- Removing violations that are difficult for police to enforce, like moving cars or motorcycles exceeding certain decibel levels.
- Giving people 15 days to pay the fines listed on the violation notice and specifying that failure to pay within 15 days will result in the city issuing a warrant in debt.
Catch up quick: In November 2022, City Council voted to swap the noise ordinance's criminal penalties (the first offense carried a six-month jail sentence) to civil fines.
- The first violation is $100. If another violation happens within a week of the first, it's a $200 fine, and a third within two weeks is $500.
Yes, but: In November 2023, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards told a council committee that collecting those fines and tracking repeat violations has been challenging.
- The sound ordinance initially didn't include a way for them to do it, unlike parking tickets.
- The money from the fines would go toward the general fund, which includes roads, schools and parks.
What's next: There's another noise ordinance change up at the Sept. 9 council meeting that would ban the city from collecting trash before 7am.
- They can currently be out and about at 5am, which some council members say has led to resident complaints.
What counts as a violation
🐶 Animals:
- Any animal making audible noises for 10 minutes straight.
🤹 Buskers:
- 7am-11pm: noise above 75 decibels, or a vacuum cleaner.
- 11pm-7am: noise above 65 decibels, which is normal conversation.
🏠 Homes, places of worship, health care facilities and restaurants near residential neighborhoods:
- 7am-11pm: sounds above 65 decibels.
- 11pm-7am: sounds above 55 decibels, or a household refrigerator.
🍽️ Restaurants not near residential neighborhoods:
- 7am-11pm: noise above 80 decibels, or an alarm clock.
- 11pm-7am: noise above 75 decibels.
📚 When school is in session:
- Noises exceeding 65 decibels.
Go deeper: Mayor's proposed noise rules target abortion protests.